Curious what people think. I'm single, late 50s, and It's a a smaller city city with about 30,446 people. Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $95,425, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,164 for rent here. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Let me know your thoughts. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Evelyn Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Riley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
33 upvotes
Wesley Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Nashville about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Cora M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Dallas it's average.
33 upvotes
Patricia G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. 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. North 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Waylon M.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Lily Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Boston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Bennett Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Atlanta about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Evelyn Lewis
Moved here from Seattle about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to traffic but No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Grace A.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Hazel Parker
honestly same experience here
4 upvotes
Liam Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Isaiah P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is improving in most areas.
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