It's a a small town city with about 2,345 people. You can expect to pay around $588 for rent here. Poverty rate is 32.6%, which is higher than I expected. Crime rate is something to consider -Fulton sits at 279.7 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Friendly people
- Growing food scene
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Lack of diversity
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Boring for young people
Am I wrong here? Any help is appreciated. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
15 upvotes
9 Replies
Easton A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Willow Richardson
I'm a writer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
37 upvotes
Josiah Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Chicago about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Luna
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Leo Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Adeline Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
17 upvotes
Hazel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Weston
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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