Alright, Median household income is $82,454, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,649/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
21 upvotes
8 Replies
Jace Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are average. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Savannah Adams
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
Brooklyn
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Savannah Hill
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 public transit. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Hannah Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Allison M.
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 dating scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Emilia J.
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Caroline Price
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much stable but now it's tough.
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