So, We have two kids and Rent is about $1,908/month for a decent place. Median household income is $96,746, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $281,600 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Strong sense of community
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Limited dining options
- Few job opportunities in some fields
What do you all think? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
4 upvotes
21 Replies
Jaxon E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 42, moved here 2 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Westside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Tampa, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
39 upvotes
Dylan Moore
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Aaron M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
34 upvotes
Colton Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Mia Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 7 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
33 upvotes
Emily Miller
been saying this for years
31 upvotes
Noah Parker
I work in hospitality here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is challenging. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Ellie P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Nashville about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Ella Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
dallaswalker2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Austin about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- 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 competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
portland_jacob
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Olivia Bailey
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Amelia Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from New York about 11 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Ella
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Charlotte it's better than expected.
13 upvotes
Allison Torres
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
10 upvotes
Jace Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Tampa about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Leo Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 46, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
6 upvotes
Joseph D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Jack P.
literally same
3 upvotes
Rylee Clark
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
cool_christian73
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
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