Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a 34-year-old accountant and Homes are going for about $141,700 on average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thoughts? It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
29 upvotes
30 Replies
Nolan Gonzalez
Came here for work and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
brooklyn_rider
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Thai places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
37 upvotes
Violet Brooks
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Xavier Reed
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Pine Hills area are challenging. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Miles H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Isabella Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Aaliyah C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 50, moved here 13 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
29 upvotes
Savannah Baker
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
28 upvotes
Elizabeth Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 52, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. underrated 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
28 upvotes
avery_local
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
28 upvotes
miamichef2024
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Addison Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Robert C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Cameron B.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
25 upvotes
Caroline P.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
22 upvotes
Mackenzie Ortiz
I've lived in Springfield for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The cost of living scene is tough
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Cameron Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 11 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Vincent J.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Carson Castillo
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Katherine Richardson
100%
11 upvotes
phoenixkid2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system 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.
10 upvotes
Gabriel A.
not my experience at all
10 upvotes
Ruby G.
been saying this for years
10 upvotes
Katherine M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Everly Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 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 South. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Valentina
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
2 upvotes
William
Came here for family and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cost of living is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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