I've been here for 10 years and Rent is about $947/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. You can expect to pay around $947 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Clovis sits at 673.8 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
20 upvotes
30 Replies
Easton
I'm a project manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Sharon W.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
39 upvotes
Carter Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Brooklyn
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 34, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
32 upvotes
Alexander Taylor
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Maverick Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Springfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - 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 outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. average 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 Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
30 upvotes
Bella M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Portland about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Leah Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Aubrey Rogers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
27 upvotes
William Nelson
preach
26 upvotes
Olivia K.
same here
24 upvotes
John Green
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The housing market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Willow H.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Mackenzie Wood
following this thread
21 upvotes
Dominic J.
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Ellie Parker
thanks for sharing
17 upvotes
Genesis Jimenez
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's tough.
14 upvotes
Madelyn
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much developing but now it's surprisingly good.
10 upvotes
Zoe Peterson
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
portland_julian
yeah no that's not right
7 upvotes
Aurora Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Adrian G.
+1
6 upvotes
Isaac
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 6 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Isabelle Lopez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is underrated in most areas.
5 upvotes
Easton Green
literally same
5 upvotes
Alexa W.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in West area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Mateo James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Andrew White
Totally agree!
2 upvotes
Andrew Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Easton Morgan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 10 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's pricey 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 tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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