Hey everyone, Rent is about $1,647/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $618,400, which is pretty steep. The city has invested a lot in new development. Has anyone dealt with this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
29 upvotes
29 Replies
Peyton Ortiz
following this thread
40 upvotes
Emily Smith
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.
39 upvotes
Sarah Robinson
Moved here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to job market but No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Hazel Jackson
same here
38 upvotes
Theodore Adams
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in East area are underrated. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Easton M.
I work in tech here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
kc_ella
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
35 upvotes
urban_abigail11
nah I disagree
35 upvotes
Amelia Lewis
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Korean places. I love the pace of life here.
34 upvotes
sofia_chef
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
34 upvotes
Mackenzie
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much reasonable but now it's better than expected.
31 upvotes
Aurora Gray
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. 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:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Abigail T.
following this thread
30 upvotes
Hunter Murphy
Totally agree!
27 upvotes
Roman
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Natalie Morgan
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Ella Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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.
21 upvotes
Charlotte Roberts
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Sadie C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
sacramentokid2021
I work in legal here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Camila K.
literally same
14 upvotes
Olivia Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Aubrey Long
been saying this for years
14 upvotes
Gabriella
I'm a project manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
George O.
haha yep pretty much
11 upvotes
Genesis Perez
I'm a social worker and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Aria
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 41, moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Westside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
7 upvotes
Aria Collins
wish I knew this sooner
6 upvotes
Skylar Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 15 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly 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 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks 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 excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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