Should I move to Lawrenceburg or stay in Salt Lake City?
Anyone else feel this way? We're a young couple and Median household income is $41,458, which feels on the lower side for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Worth the trade-offs?
2 upvotes
11 Replies
Adeline
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 55, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
39 upvotes
Everett Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 13 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts 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 pretty good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Kathryn W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Jose Chavez
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
26 upvotes
Scarlett C.
thanks for sharing
16 upvotes
Serenity
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are average. 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. Limited public transit options. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Camila Peterson
Totally agree!
11 upvotes
roman_mama
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much wild but now it's pretty good.
10 upvotes
Sadie E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
mountain_lillian19
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 39, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - 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 stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Miami, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Lucas R.
I've lived in Sunset for about 1 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 cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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