Hi all, I'm retired and Average temperature is around 69°F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 9.6%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
65 upvotes
27 Replies
Audrey T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
tucsonlocal2021
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Lucas Hall
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Brielle Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
34 upvotes
Austin Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 10 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 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:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Midtown 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. Rising rent and home prices. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Adam L.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Maple Ridge area are excellent. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Ethan Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Roman Bennett
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
30 upvotes
Ellie
yep
27 upvotes
Elena Ortiz
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Kaylee R.
+1
25 upvotes
dcvibes2020
good to know, thanks
23 upvotes
Logan Wilson
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Westside area are solid. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Isla Ramirez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is improving in most areas.
21 upvotes
Hunter Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 48, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
19 upvotes
Matthew Taylor
I've lived in Cedar Grove 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 Chicago, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Maya Gutierrez
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The pet-friendliness is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Colton L.
I've lived in Westside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Roman C.
yeah no that's not right
13 upvotes
Alice Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 32, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
12 upvotes
William Rivera
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Genesis Hernandez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Lily Martinez
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
6 upvotes
Adam Myers
preach
6 upvotes
Robert R.
nah I disagree
6 upvotes
Andrew
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 42, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Cedar Grove and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
3 upvotes
tulsaliving2026
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 34, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in West and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Nashville, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
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