Longtime lurker here, With a population of 49,904, Murray is a smaller city. The suburbs are where most families end up. Would love some local perspective.
27 upvotes
29 Replies
raised_genesis21
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Julia
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Julian
I work in engineering here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
David Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Westside schools are challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Alexander Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle 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 Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Serenity Young
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
Addison Jones
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Wyatt
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 41, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in The Heights and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. average 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
25 upvotes
Adeline L.
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Anna
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
Wyatt Nguyen
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Jonathan Johnson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Pittsburgh it's surprisingly good.
23 upvotes
Hudson Perez
I work in tech here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Ethan H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Rylee Ruiz
exactly what I was thinking
20 upvotes
Bradley F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 13 years. Moved from Houston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
tucson_olivia
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Hazel Castillo
Moved here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Kaylee M.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
11 upvotes
charlotte_kinsley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
11 upvotes
Madeline Lee
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The walkability is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Olivia Wright
lol so true
10 upvotes
Jaxon C.
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
oakland_sofia
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Leonardo Green
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
John J.
same here
3 upvotes
Isaiah Sanders
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.