OK so I'm a college student here and Rent is about $2,165/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 5.0%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 78,816 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I wrong here? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
28 upvotes
14 Replies
Henry P.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Anna E.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great BBQ places. the quality of life is solid.
33 upvotes
Scarlett Williams
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Peyton Williams
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Angel Johnson
yeah no that's not right
23 upvotes
Gianna Edwards
I'm a physical therapist and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Adam Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Jonathan Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Charlotte it's challenging.
13 upvotes
Nolan Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 47, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Springfield and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
12 upvotes
Jackson Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 41, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Sunset and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
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 weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
9 upvotes
Alice Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. excellent 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 Minneapolis, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
9 upvotes
Audrey Hall
good to know, thanks
7 upvotes
Miles Jackson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Peyton Ortiz
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Greenfield area are solid. Kids love it here.
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