So, I'm originally from Cleveland and Median household income is $43,374, which feels on the lower side for the area. Household incomes average around $43,374 in Clinton. Crime rate is something to consider -Clinton sits at 893.4 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Walkable downtown
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Lack of diversity
- Boring for young people
- Chain restaurants dominate
Would love some local perspective. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
Roy B.
great question, following
40 upvotes
Joshua R.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Springfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Brooklyn Y.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Nolan Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (North) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
23 upvotes
Mackenzie Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 43, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
21 upvotes
Jacob T.
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Levi
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 57, moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 San Francisco, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
16 upvotes
omaha_gabriella
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 35, moved here 14 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Springfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Tampa, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
16 upvotes
Daniel G.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Logan B.
underrated comment
16 upvotes
Henry G.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Isabelle Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
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