Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a smaller city city with about 72,793 people. You can expect to pay around $1,868 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Does this match your experience? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
9 upvotes
30 Replies
Thomas Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Eastside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
35 upvotes
Silas Ramos
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 40, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Charlotte, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
34 upvotes
Adam L.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
34 upvotes
Ellie Richardson
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Dominic Kelly
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- The public transit scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
sunny_nolan64
honestly same experience here
32 upvotes
Savannah Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Adrian W.
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Valentina Mendoza
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Willow
I've lived in Westside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Gabriella Jimenez
Moved here from Boston about 5 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to dating scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Jackson Gonzalez
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Willow Martinez
Moved here from Miami about 12 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to school system but No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Theodore Anderson
I work in construction here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Everly Ruiz
I work in construction here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
desert_jonathan28
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
Ella Miller
Moved here from Austin about 12 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
la_ella
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Italian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
16 upvotes
Ezekiel F.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Maple Ridge area are average. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Ian Hernandez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Tampa it's average.
14 upvotes
Anna Scott
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 9 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. The Heights schools are underrated. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Lucas Clark
literally same
10 upvotes
Vincent B.
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 pet-friendliness is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
10 upvotes
Arianna
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Declan Rodriguez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Ezra Perez
I work in retail here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is better than expected. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Ezra
as a local I can confirm
5 upvotes
Addison Gutierrez
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it exceeded my expectations.
1 upvotes
Brenda B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is decent in most areas.
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