Hey folks, Homes are going for about $605,000 on average. Worth the trade-offs? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
23 upvotes
22 Replies
Willie P.
accurate
37 upvotes
Jacob
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Piper Price
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Declan Alvarez
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The food scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Sophia M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Lily Robinson
following this thread
22 upvotes
Ian S.
I work in government here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is pretty good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Xavier Smith
same here
19 upvotes
Violet Ramos
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Denver it's solid.
17 upvotes
Kai Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Uptown schools are underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Winters are long and cold. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Katherine Davis
Bought a house here in 2018 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
14 upvotes
Carter N.
accurate
13 upvotes
Emilia Foster
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Brielle
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Joseph
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
James R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Violet Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
William D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
detroit_eli
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Ezekiel Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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