First post here. Median household income is $57,533, which feels about average for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I wrong here?
5 upvotes
23 Replies
Wyatt Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 26, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in North and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. underrated 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 LA, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
40 upvotes
milwaukee_landon
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (West) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
40 upvotes
Xavier Johnson
I've lived in North for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Joshua P.
100%
34 upvotes
lake_olivia41
+1
34 upvotes
Everly Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Violet W.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Douglas R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 48, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Pine Hills and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
27 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
preach
22 upvotes
Landon Gray
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
21 upvotes
Anna T.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Riverside area are average. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Connor James
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
cooper_mama
I've lived in Springfield for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Riley Rodriguez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
madeline_native
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Kai Moore
100%
8 upvotes
Dylan Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
nyc_jordan
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Reagan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Levi Williams
underrated comment
3 upvotes
John Williams
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
1 upvotes
Katherine Phillips
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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