Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
10 upvotes
20 Replies
Gianna Lee
I work in legal here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is better than expected. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Kennedy Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
mateo_lover
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Savannah Wright
bump
31 upvotes
James Patel
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Eva Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Springfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. decent 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 Nashville, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
27 upvotes
Jonathan Alvarez
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in West area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Madelyn W.
accurate
20 upvotes
Sofia H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Joshua Patel
Moved here from San Diego about 13 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to safety but Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Cynthia W.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much pricey but now it's better than expected.
12 upvotes
Isabella Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 11 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches 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 excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Isla Price
This.
10 upvotes
Harper Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Jayden Campbell
lol so true
6 upvotes
Hannah Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (East) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
5 upvotes
Jeremy R.
good to know, thanks
3 upvotes
Stella
Saving this thread
2 upvotes
Daniel R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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