The median home value here is around $314,800, which seems about average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Adrian P.
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Willow Phillips
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great seafood places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
30 upvotes
Adam Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Isaiah R.
I've lived in South for about 15 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 Denver, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
oaklandgirl2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Thomas
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Gabriella
as a local I can confirm
10 upvotes
Cooper Martin
literally same
7 upvotes
Chloe King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 57, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Lakewood and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
6 upvotes
Jordan Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Savannah Moore
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
3 upvotes
Alice
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..