First post here. Homes are going for about $411,100 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Worth the trade-offs?
7 upvotes
24 Replies
Isaiah Kelly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Joshua R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 38, moved here 10 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Old Town and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Austin, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
39 upvotes
Natalie Patel
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
33 upvotes
Everly E.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much developing but now it's underrated.
33 upvotes
Ralph W.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
32 upvotes
Frank M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Terry B.
+1
30 upvotes
Weston
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Jonathan Lewis
big facts right here
27 upvotes
Alexa Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 55, moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
25 upvotes
Caroline Cooper
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The pet-friendliness is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Aurora G.
I work in retail here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Harper Walker
yeah no that's not right
21 upvotes
Theresa W.
literally same
20 upvotes
Hunter Robinson
I've lived in Springfield for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Eric L.
I'm a nurse and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is average and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Scarlett P.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The nightlife is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Ezekiel Wilson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Declan Ramos
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Colton Alvarez
hmm interesting perspective
6 upvotes
Kai
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
5 upvotes
Richard B.
seconding this
5 upvotes
Evan
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Hunter Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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