Hey everyone, I'm retired and Average temperature is around 73--F, so it's warm year-round. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
8 upvotes
26 Replies
raised_natalie24
Bought a house here in 2023 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
40 upvotes
Kelly S.
big facts right here
40 upvotes
Samuel A.
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
39 upvotes
sunny_carson3
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Eastside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
37 upvotes
David Morgan
facts
35 upvotes
Noah R.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Carter Allen
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor recreation is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Willow Phillips
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is decent in most areas.
29 upvotes
Paisley Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Adrian M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Elena Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 5 years. Moved from Houston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails 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 improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
thomas_heart
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Bella
seconding this
17 upvotes
nycfan2026
honestly same experience here
17 upvotes
Thomas Miller
Moved here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to healthcare but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Gianna Brooks
Moved here last year, no regrets.
13 upvotes
Amelia Phillips
bump
12 upvotes
Jack B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Wyatt Murphy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Clara White
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
8 upvotes
Nicholas Stewart
haha yep pretty much
4 upvotes
Ralph K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
4 upvotes
Emma Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech 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 underrated - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are tough. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Axel W.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
3 upvotes
Amelia Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (North) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
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