Hello, I'm retired and You can expect to pay around $663 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Worth the trade-offs? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
1 upvotes
4 Replies
Miles Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 46, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Nashville, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
33 upvotes
Zoey Castillo
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 growing but now it's decent.
31 upvotes
Waylon
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Eleanor Foster
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
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