Hey everyone, I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $94,718, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 7.5%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Jaxon Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 25, moved here 7 years ago from LA. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
40 upvotes
Laura R.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
40 upvotes
Willow C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Olivia Jackson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is underrated in most areas.
38 upvotes
Zoe Y.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Asher Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Emily M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 49, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Highland and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. excellent 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 Dallas, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
26 upvotes
Madelyn C.
glad someone said it
25 upvotes
Clara Scott
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
18 upvotes
Hudson Brooks
I work in tech here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Dylan
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is solid in most areas.
14 upvotes
Doris W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Greenfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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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