Median household income is $93,545, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Kuna sits at 80.5 per 100K. Homes are going for about $403,700 on average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Diverse community
- Plenty of shopping options
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Not very walkable
- Limited dining options
- Lack of diversity
Any advice would be great. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
8 upvotes
22 Replies
Jeremiah Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Nashville about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Grayson Morris
Used to live on the East side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
34 upvotes
Emilia Nelson
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.
29 upvotes
charlotte_robert
yeah no that's not right
29 upvotes
Jackson Allen
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Santiago Y.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Seattle about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Ryan Morgan
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
24 upvotes
Zoe Gomez
I've lived in Westside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Aiden Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Michael Peterson
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Lakewood area are solid. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
jaxon_life
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
21 upvotes
Aubrey C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Ava White
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
Clara S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 58, moved here 3 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Midtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. excellent 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
19 upvotes
Eugene W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Uptown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
15 upvotes
Andrew
I've lived in Westside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Scarlett Myers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
13 upvotes
tulsamama2021
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Anna
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
chicago_silas
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Claire Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 11 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are pretty good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Landon Wilson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is decent in most areas.
All Countries
