Anyone else feel this way? Poverty rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $117,853 in Kennedale. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a small town city with about 8,954 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Christian B.
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
Aaliyah Gray
facts
29 upvotes
Ruth T.
I've lived in Sunset for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Andrew Castillo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Weston H.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
cincyrider2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Lily R.
hmm interesting perspective
23 upvotes
Sebastian Gray
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is average in most areas.
23 upvotes
Aria Young
I'm a lawyer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is average and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Silas Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
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. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
22 upvotes
charlotte_heart
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Eliana G.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The cultural scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Joshua Watson
I'm a chef and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
David Lewis
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.