OK so With a population of 85,575, Franklin is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $1,861 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Is this normal for Franklin? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
21 upvotes
24 Replies
Sophie Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 29, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Sunset and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Phoenix, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
38 upvotes
Silas
I've lived in Springfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cultural scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Silas C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Alexis J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 1 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Springfield 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Quinn K.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Tampa it's surprisingly good.
34 upvotes
Mia Mitchell
not my experience at all
34 upvotes
avery_heart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin 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 Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Weston
seconding this
30 upvotes
vegas_aurora
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
nashville_jacob
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Fairview) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
22 upvotes
Elena
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Lucas Kelly
accurate
15 upvotes
Sofia Harris
Used to live on the West side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
13 upvotes
Jacob Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Eli Parker
honestly same experience here
11 upvotes
Angel Hughes
lol so true
11 upvotes
Madelyn
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Meadowbrook area are improving. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Jackson Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Weston R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 8 years. Moved from Minneapolis for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. 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. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And nightlife 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.
7 upvotes
Savannah Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Boston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Sophia Williams
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Camila S.
I've lived in Riverside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
tampa_reagan
as a local I can confirm
3 upvotes
Leonardo Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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