Hey everyone, Homes are going for about $614,400 on average. Median household income is $133,958, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Eagleview sits at 239.3 per 100K. Rent is about $2,250/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? Thanks in advance! There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Austin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Ezekiel Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Luke Green
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in East area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Julia Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
28 upvotes
Jordan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
indywalker2024
as a local I can confirm
23 upvotes
Ruby Lee
interesting, hadn't considered that
16 upvotes
Leah G.
Came here for family and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
15 upvotes
Wesley Thomas
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Sarah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 51, moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
14 upvotes
Emmett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Elijah Thompson
This.
11 upvotes
Nathan R.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The healthcare is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Karen M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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