Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 7.1%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Has anyone dealt with this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development.
8 upvotes
7 Replies
Josiah Thomas
yep
37 upvotes
Kennedy Cruz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
31 upvotes
ariana_native
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in North area are underrated. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Isabella Murphy
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Springfield area are average. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Nicholas R.
same here
26 upvotes
Valentina G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Sebastian Nelson
Moved here from Tampa about 3 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to traffic but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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