Hi all, Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What are your go-to spots? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
0 upvotes
28 Replies
Rylee T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are surprisingly good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Aaliyah Collins
this is the way
35 upvotes
Jose Roberts
lol so true
34 upvotes
Diane C.
nah I disagree
33 upvotes
Emily F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is pretty good.
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..
29 upvotes
Dylan Brooks
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Jessica K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 36, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Greenfield and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
29 upvotes
Brooks Wilson
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Weston
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The school system is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
charlotte_isla
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much growing but now it's average.
27 upvotes
Hudson Nelson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Dallas it's hit or miss.
26 upvotes
Mateo L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Sunset) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
24 upvotes
Riley Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Seattle about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Leo Jimenez
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Sarah Gonzalez
yep
20 upvotes
Ezekiel Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Santiago B.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
15 upvotes
Lillian Edwards
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Audrey
I've lived in Downtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Nevaeh Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Elizabeth Nguyen
this is the way
11 upvotes
Robert R.
bump
5 upvotes
sf_logan
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 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Old Town schools are decent. 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. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Sophia Harris
facts
4 upvotes
sdchef2023
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 48, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
4 upvotes
Waylon
not my experience at all
3 upvotes
Addison T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are solid. 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 shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Nova Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Fairview 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. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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