Hello, I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $87,293, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,675/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $1,675 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I wrong here? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Sophie Hall
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
Nova Mitchell
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
35 upvotes
Eugene E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
34 upvotes
Joshua Baker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is improving in most areas.
33 upvotes
Ezekiel Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Samuel F.
Moved here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to walkability but Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Julian Reyes
this is the way
22 upvotes
Thomas Harris
Saving this thread
19 upvotes
Chloe S.
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Amy W.
+1
16 upvotes
Maya Diaz
I've lived in West 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 Miami, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The outdoor recreation scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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