Not sure if this has been asked before, but Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,823/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is about average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
41 upvotes
26 Replies
Leo Moore
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
39 upvotes
Aaron M.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much stable but now it's better than expected.
38 upvotes
Lucas
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to San Diego it's better than expected.
37 upvotes
Luke Lopez
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
36 upvotes
wild_levi57
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Phoenix it's better than expected.
35 upvotes
Grayson L.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
34 upvotes
Bella Howard
facts
34 upvotes
Connor R.
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
30 upvotes
Julian White
following this thread
28 upvotes
Gabriel
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
24 upvotes
genesis_mind
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Scarlett Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and Sunset, 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. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
22 upvotes
born_thomas3
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
brooklyn_rider
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from New York about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Sophia Gutierrez
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The community vibe is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Savannah Hernandez
literally same
17 upvotes
Aria Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's wild 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 better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
James Cruz
hmm interesting perspective
11 upvotes
Grayson Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 2 years. Moved from LA for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are underrated. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
miamiliving2020
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Brielle Ward
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's surprisingly good.
8 upvotes
Piper
I've lived in Uptown for about 6 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 public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- The outdoor recreation scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Genesis Alvarez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Landon King
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Tyler M.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great craft beer places. it was the best decision I ever made.
2 upvotes
Hailey
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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