Alright, I work in automotive and Homes are going for about $160,800 on average. Poverty rate is 16.1%, which is higher than I expected. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I wrong here? Thanks!
9 upvotes
21 Replies
Aaron M.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Ethan Myers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Denver about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Charlotte R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
James Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 25, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Boston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
38 upvotes
Kai Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
36 upvotes
Lily Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Houston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Victoria Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Aaron Allen
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Camila Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely tough and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
26 upvotes
Evelyn Lee
Moved here from Miami about 10 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to public transit but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Isabella Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Frances M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, 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.
23 upvotes
portland_samuel
noted, appreciate it
23 upvotes
Harper Moore
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Audrey Robinson
This.
18 upvotes
Ryan Morales
as a local I can confirm
17 upvotes
Grayson
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mexican places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Axel Roberts
I'm a HR manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Gabriella M.
Bought a house here in 2022 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
9 upvotes
Julian Cook
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
Sadie Torres
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much affordable but now it's pretty good.
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