Hey folks, I'm retired and Median household income is $70,524, which feels about average for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I overthinking this? Thanks!
7 upvotes
22 Replies
Anna Gutierrez
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
40 upvotes
Brielle C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Theodore Scott
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Minneapolis it's tough.
37 upvotes
Ezekiel
accurate
35 upvotes
Joshua
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
35 upvotes
Emilia Kelly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Fairview) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
34 upvotes
Brielle Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Claire Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Camila T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Portland about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Jack Hughes
Moved here last year, no regrets.
28 upvotes
adeline_guy
This.
22 upvotes
Ian Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 41, moved here 4 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. underrated 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Avery Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Brooks Jimenez
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
nycnative2021
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
19 upvotes
Andrew E.
accurate
18 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Oak Park and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
18 upvotes
Levi Phillips
hmm interesting perspective
17 upvotes
audrey_heart
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The dating scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Emily Alvarez
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
6 upvotes
Jameson Thompson
Saving this thread
4 upvotes
Caleb Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Uptown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
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