OK so Homes are going for about $534,000 on average. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $534,000, which is pretty steep. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Should I be concerned? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
27 upvotes
27 Replies
Austin James
I'm a project manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is average and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Wesley Jimenez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
Jack T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Andrew Howard
I've lived in Midtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Samantha L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 43, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Westside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
31 upvotes
Piper Gomez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
Julie F.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Victoria Mendoza
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Skylar Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Cameron
Moved here last year, no regrets.
25 upvotes
Benjamin K.
This.
23 upvotes
Peyton James
hmm interesting perspective
23 upvotes
Hunter
I've lived in Springfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Clara Chavez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Kenneth R.
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Madelyn Wilson
following this thread
14 upvotes
Matthew T.
yeah no that's not right
13 upvotes
Kinsley Ramirez
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 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 Salt Lake City, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Lydia Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. legal 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Downtown schools are average. 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. Limited public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Hudson Williams
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's been a really good experience overall.
9 upvotes
Nicholas Baker
not my experience at all
8 upvotes
raised_hailey87
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 40, moved here 7 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
8 upvotes
Brooks Myers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
7 upvotes
Grace C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
true_julia78
I work in finance here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Eva Reyes
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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