Alright, I've been here for 17 years and Homes are going for about $236,100 on average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance! People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
39 upvotes
10 Replies
Parker R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Levi Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
34 upvotes
Camila Nelson
Moved here from Baltimore about 6 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to healthcare but Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Lily Turner
wish I knew this sooner
15 upvotes
Joseph H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Abigail Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Aurora Allen
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
13 upvotes
Kennedy W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Rylee Ramos
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 33, moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
7 upvotes
Vivian Thompson
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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