Longtime lurker here, Military spouse here. Household incomes average around $91,036 in Linden. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Should I be concerned? Property taxes are high but you get good services.
30 upvotes
14 Replies
Abigail F.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much reasonable but now it's average.
39 upvotes
Brian C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview 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
Grayson Rodriguez
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Sophie Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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
Olivia
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Parker C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 14 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Springfield schools are hit or miss. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Anna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
phillyrunner2024
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Adeline R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 4 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Oak Park schools are decent. 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Greyson W.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Riverside area are decent. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Lillian Wright
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mexican places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
5 upvotes
madeline_rider
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from LA about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Ezekiel Morales
literally same
1 upvotes
Addison
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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