Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2023. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,743 for rent here. Median household income is $70,519, which feels about average for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
1 upvotes
8 Replies
Adrian Nelson
same here
36 upvotes
Thomas T.
Bought a house here in 2021 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
35 upvotes
Ellie Phillips
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Paisley G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
19 upvotes
Josiah Myers
Totally agree!
16 upvotes
Brenda G.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much developing but now it's improving.
9 upvotes
Nicholas Stewart
nah I disagree
9 upvotes
Lillian Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
