Hey folks, Homes are going for about $681,500 on average. It's a a small town city with about 10,218 people. Household incomes average around $216,160 in Heath. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Friendly people
- Lots of new development
- Walkable downtown
- Active local events
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Not very walkable
- Lack of diversity
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Poor road conditions
Any advice would be great. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
native_skylar95
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
36 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 48, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. tough 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
34 upvotes
Joseph
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
houston_noah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Denver about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
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 affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Piper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Isabella Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 13 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, 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.
23 upvotes
Emma Morris
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great BBQ places. I love the pace of life here.
21 upvotes
Katherine M.
I work in real estate here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is underrated. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Martha P.
I'm a lawyer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Quinn Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Ethan Gonzalez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Emilia Davis
I've lived in Midtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Denver, 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
- Affordable housing options
- The traffic scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Leah Foster
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 6 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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