Curious what people think. I work in real estate and Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. The median home value here is around $138,800, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Good schools
- Close to nature
- Good healthcare facilities
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Boring for young people
Looking forward to hearing from you all. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
25 Replies
sdchef2023
same here
40 upvotes
Allison Lewis
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Skylar R.
following this thread
39 upvotes
Anna S.
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 Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Gabriella Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 43, moved here 10 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Limited high-paying job options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
37 upvotes
Adrian R.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
36 upvotes
mesa_bella
I've lived in The Heights for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The job market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Xavier Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Seattle about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Isabella
I'm a pharmacist and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
Hudson H.
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Ruby Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are underrated. 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 high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Henry Bennett
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
28 upvotes
Ruby Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Lillian S.
accurate
28 upvotes
Aubrey Long
Came here for family and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Ezekiel Flores
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Bennett R.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much wild but now it's tough.
23 upvotes
Madelyn Bailey
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Hailey Howard
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Henry Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Matthew R.
I'm a accountant and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Jaxon Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Miami about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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