Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $62,194, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is about average. Homes are going for about $152,800 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What would you do? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Lillian K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Dallas about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Everly
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Greyson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
mesafan2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Emily
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 48, moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
34 upvotes
Adrian
following this thread
31 upvotes
Grayson T.
same here
27 upvotes
Aria Turner
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is average in most areas.
23 upvotes
Henry
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Sebastian Clark
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Oliver Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Audrey Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Minneapolis about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Greyson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from LA about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Theodore B.
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
Stella R.
I'm a teacher and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
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