I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $59,026, which feels about average for the area. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Luke King
following this thread
39 upvotes
Emily A.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
36 upvotes
Aaron Watson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Austin Lewis
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Isaiah Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 28, moved here 9 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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.
33 upvotes
Addison Ortiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Lydia Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Kelly W.
wish I knew this sooner
25 upvotes
Jackson Peterson
spot on
17 upvotes
Noah J.
I've lived in Westside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Riley
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 7 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails 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 better than expected. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Michael P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Evan Diaz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
1 upvotes
Ruby Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 31, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Midtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
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