Poverty rate is 7.1%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
William Wright
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Leo K.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
31 upvotes
Serenity Campbell
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much competitive but now it's hit or miss.
30 upvotes
Zoe Evans
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
David C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Cameron
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Daniel Wood
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
21 upvotes
Jaxon Castillo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
21 upvotes
Violet Gomez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
18 upvotes
Stella Gonzalez
following this thread
17 upvotes
Gabriella R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Diego about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Sarah G.
spot on
13 upvotes
Nevaeh Anderson
Totally agree!
10 upvotes
Mason Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Houston about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..