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mason_guy best-worst

Biggest downsides of living in Garland?

Hello, I'm retired and Household incomes average around $74,717 in Garland. Homes are going for about $248,900 on average. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Has anyone dealt with this? Any help is appreciated. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
29 upvotes

3 Replies

Camila G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a writer, 24, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Greenfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
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. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
30 upvotes
Theresa W.
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
8 upvotes
indypapa2021
I've lived in Springfield for about 14 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 Dallas, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is decent

The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
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