Hey folks, We have two kids and It's a a small town city with about 6,149 people. With a population of 6,149, Independence is a small town. Poverty rate is 6.6%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 1.1%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Is this normal for Independence? Thanks for reading. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Emmett Mitchell
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Lydia P.
accurate
34 upvotes
Sophie Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Pine Hills schools are solid. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Dominic B.
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The housing market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Ezekiel Scott
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Eastside area are decent. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Ethan Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 26, moved here 8 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Greenfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
24 upvotes
Hunter Bailey
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Julia Scott
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
20 upvotes
Mia Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Greyson Ramos
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Jaxon Walker
literally same
10 upvotes
Luke Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Jayden M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
All Countries
