Longtime lurker here, Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $2,081/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $628,500 on average. Household incomes average around $108,108 in Lincoln. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
23 upvotes
21 Replies
Jacob Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 54, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Sunset and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
38 upvotes
Leonardo Jackson
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
37 upvotes
Christine F.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
kc_weston
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
32 upvotes
Zoey S.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in North area are improving. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Nora Martin
Moved here from Houston about 1 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to traffic but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Jose Taylor
I've lived in Lakewood 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Leah H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Madelyn
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Minneapolis about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Julian
Totally agree!
17 upvotes
Willow Price
facts
17 upvotes
Xavier Moore
I'm a sales manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Riley Ward
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Hudson Ross
Saving this thread
12 upvotes
Grayson Wood
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Alexander
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Emma
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Hunter M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Uptown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
6 upvotes
Everett F.
literally same
4 upvotes
Asher R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 2 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Nora Castillo
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
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