Been meaning to ask this. Just moved here 8 months ago and Homes are going for about $891,300 on average. Median household income is $191,128, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
14 upvotes
9 Replies
Cooper Myers
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The housing market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
river_isaiah80
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Emma L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Sofia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
21 upvotes
Waylon D.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
14 upvotes
Robert M.
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
detroitdude2023
I work in real estate here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is decent. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Declan Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Aaron Watson
Came here for retirement and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The public transit is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
