Alright, I work in marketing and Poverty rate is 7.9%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. What do you all think? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
emma_native
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
39 upvotes
Grace Adams
this is the way
38 upvotes
mesaheart2020
couldn't agree more
37 upvotes
Landon Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 30, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Greenfield and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
36 upvotes
Paisley Bailey
I've lived in North for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Christian Howard
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
26 upvotes
Zoey Miller
Bought a house here in 2015 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Elizabeth
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 14 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Jack
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Seattle about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
local_dominic98
as a local I can confirm
14 upvotes
Dominic Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Portland about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Addison Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Houston 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 South. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Everly Parker
spot on
8 upvotes
Samantha R.
I've lived in Springfield for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- The community vibe scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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