Hello, I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $174,800, which is actually reasonable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Let me know your thoughts. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
25 upvotes
29 Replies
Sofia White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 13 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Alice Flores
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Naomi Thomas
I've lived in Springfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- The school system scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Everly Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 11 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
33 upvotes
Joseph Thomas
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Dominic
big facts right here
30 upvotes
Wyatt Ramos
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Hannah Cook
lol so true
28 upvotes
Abigail Cooper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Tampa about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
William Jones
glad someone said it
26 upvotes
Samuel Bennett
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Zoey T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Lucy G.
I've lived in Riverside for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The housing market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Everett Cruz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Sofia Wood
good to know, thanks
17 upvotes
Roger T.
bump
16 upvotes
Jacob C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is solid in most areas.
15 upvotes
Liam Hernandez
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
14 upvotes
Brielle J.
Totally agree!
14 upvotes
Grace King
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Brielle H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 2 years. Moved from Dallas for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are improving. 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. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Luke Bennett
been saying this for years
13 upvotes
Bella Hall
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
wild_rylee67
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
12 upvotes
emily_walker
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
charlotte_caleb
Moved here from Dallas about 11 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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