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Angel Miller best-worst

Biggest downsides of living in Lebanon?

Alright, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and With a population of 41,951, Lebanon is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 10.7%, which is around average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Thanks! The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
17 upvotes

15 Replies

David Ortiz
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The safety is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
sunny_isabelle76
Totally agree!
32 upvotes
Cameron Martin
I've lived in Springfield for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The safety scene is solid

The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Santiago Bailey
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The traffic is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Matthew F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a electrician who relocated here from Seattle about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.

Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Leonardo Collins
big facts right here
20 upvotes
Greyson W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.

I've been here 13 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established 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 excellent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
desert_alexa63
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mexican places. it's been a really good experience overall.
13 upvotes
Jameson Ortiz
Moved here last year, no regrets.
13 upvotes
Everly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 9 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Nora Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.

I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Arthur M.
Moved here from Tampa about 2 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Everett Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 55, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
4 upvotes
Isaac Richardson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Connor Long
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The nightlife is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
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