Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $345,000 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. Any advice would be great. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
12 upvotes
29 Replies
Oliver Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 31, moved here 5 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. hit or miss 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 Boston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
40 upvotes
Declan Ramirez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Dallas about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Waylon Lee
spot on
37 upvotes
Sadie M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
36 upvotes
Julian
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 49, moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Angela M.
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
nicholas_mind
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Mia S.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
32 upvotes
Aurora Ortiz
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
desert_chloe70
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to LA it's improving.
30 upvotes
Aiden Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
jaxvibes2023
underrated comment
25 upvotes
connor_kid
glad someone said it
24 upvotes
audrey_walker
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
22 upvotes
Thomas Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Anna C.
Moved here from Dallas about 13 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cost of living but Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Hailey
Moved here last year, no regrets.
18 upvotes
Emily Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
17 upvotes
Natalie N.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Scarlett P.
couldn't agree more
15 upvotes
Daniel Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Angel Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 36, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Westside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Charlotte, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
11 upvotes
Rylee
exactly what I was thinking
10 upvotes
Liam
Moved here from Nashville about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Carson Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are tough. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Camila M.
not my experience at all
6 upvotes
Andrew
nah I disagree
5 upvotes
Scarlett
I work in education here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is improving. No regrets on my end..
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