Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. Median household income is $134,744, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Larkspur sits at 76.3 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this?
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Valentina Jones
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
40 upvotes
Melanie P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Cooper
spot on
38 upvotes
Matthew J.
not my experience at all
31 upvotes
Arianna Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 48, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
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. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. hit or miss 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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
Reagan T.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Springfield area are decent. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Elizabeth
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..
14 upvotes
Vivian Murphy
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The housing market is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Xavier Wright
Moved here from Phoenix about 7 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cultural scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Natalie White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from New York about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Aurora J.
I work in education here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Ruby Ruiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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