I work in government and You can expect to pay around $1,015 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
19 upvotes
13 Replies
Ian M.
+1
34 upvotes
Miles T.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much stable but now it's challenging.
33 upvotes
Victoria Bennett
Bought a house here in 2015 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
32 upvotes
Landon Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Kayden
I work in consulting here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is challenging. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Owen K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 35, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - 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 community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. hit or miss 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
21 upvotes
Isaac Taylor
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
mountain_jonathan17
I work in government here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
John Harris
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Ruby Cox
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Weston J.
I'm a nurse and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Violet Brooks
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Joseph Price
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
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