Hi all, Household incomes average around $87,400 in Downey. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Thanks for reading. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
13 upvotes
22 Replies
Nova Stewart
I've lived in Fairview for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
- The job market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Jose
haha yep pretty much
40 upvotes
Alice
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Phoenix about 2 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Lily Hall
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The healthcare scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Violet S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
30 upvotes
Robert
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
29 upvotes
Amanda L.
I work in engineering here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is pretty good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Alice Clark
I've lived in Midtown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
quinn_local
seconding this
19 upvotes
Kaylee Chavez
underrated comment
18 upvotes
Mia Gomez
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Reagan Thompson
lol so true
12 upvotes
Melanie Lee
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great seafood places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
12 upvotes
Leo Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 42, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and Midtown, 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. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
11 upvotes
John J.
I've lived in The Heights for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
proud_piper96
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Addison Rodriguez
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
Madeline Allen
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Roy N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Fairview) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
3 upvotes
Elena Perez
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
David Roberts
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is excellent in most areas.
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