Hey everyone, I'm a 32-year-old graphic designer and The unemployment rate is 4.6%, which is about average. You can expect to pay around $1,006 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Is this normal for Crafton?
9 upvotes
13 Replies
ryan_lover
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Harold W.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Oak Park area are solid. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Ryan Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 33, moved here 3 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Springfield and Uptown, 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 hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. average 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
34 upvotes
Sophia G.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Hudson Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 35, moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in East and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
27 upvotes
Lucy Jones
I've lived in Springfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Delilah Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Tampa 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 Meadowbrook. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Parker Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 54, moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Midtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
12 upvotes
Clara Morales
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
10 upvotes
Amelia Nelson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Waylon
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Vivian C.
as a local I can confirm
4 upvotes
indy_carson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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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