Random thought, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 95,682 people. Poverty rate is 9.1%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Anyone in a similar situation? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to.
30 upvotes
9 Replies
John R.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Downtown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Aaron Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 42, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. solid 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
18 upvotes
Adam Sanchez
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
16 upvotes
Eugene W.
couldn't agree more
10 upvotes
Jordan Moore
great question, following
9 upvotes
nycguy2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 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 4-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Liam Kelly
+1
8 upvotes
William Richardson
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
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