I'm a remote worker and It's a a small town city with about 16,825 people. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Thoughts?
9 upvotes
13 Replies
William Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Chicago about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Cooper Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 26, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
32 upvotes
Alexa Carter
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
32 upvotes
Ian
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
David Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 27, moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Minneapolis, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
26 upvotes
James Jackson
Came here for weather and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Genesis Peterson
I work in hospitality here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is improving. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Kennedy G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Westside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
25 upvotes
Kayla W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Bruce T.
been saying this for years
7 upvotes
Austin M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
James Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
3 upvotes
Aubrey
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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