Longtime lurker here, My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $861/month for a decent place. Median household income is $56,729, which feels about average for the area. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I overthinking this? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
Evan Torres
same here
37 upvotes
Ella G.
lol so true
35 upvotes
Nolan Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Sadie Patel
Came here for retirement and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The food scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
minneapolis_wesley
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 38, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. solid 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
27 upvotes
Autumn Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Matthew S.
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Russell F.
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
Wesley Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 6 years. Moved from New York for weather. 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 up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Serenity Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 11 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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