Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 31,113 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Should I be concerned?
6 upvotes
8 Replies
Jameson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Baltimore it's better than expected.
27 upvotes
Luca Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers 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 solid. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Jack Smith
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Lakewood area are underrated. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Hunter
couldn't agree more
18 upvotes
Gabriel Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
true_grace48
big facts right here
9 upvotes
Ryan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Bennett
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The community vibe is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
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