Hey, I'm retired and The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Gabriel Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 6 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Nathan J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 5 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Can feel isolated. Limited shopping options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Liam Howard
Came here for school and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The community vibe is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Parker E.
interesting, hadn't considered that
32 upvotes
Connor H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Santiago Jones
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Eliana D.
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is decent. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Scarlett R.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
12 upvotes
Chloe Castillo
I work in tech here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is pretty good. Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Harper Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Riverside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
8 upvotes
Claire Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Lucas Cook
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Atlanta it's challenging.
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