Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -David City sits at 84.0 per 100K. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
11 upvotes
5 Replies
Elizabeth G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Aria Torres
preach
16 upvotes
Jose Taylor
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Paisley Nguyen
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
Sophia Morales
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from Dallas for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
legal is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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. East schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.