Thinking about relocating to New Iberia from Sacramento
Not sure if this has been asked before, but I've been here for 17 years and Rent is about $878/month for a decent place. Median household income is $50,802, which feels on the lower side for the area. The median home value here is around $150,300, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 22.3%, which is higher than I expected. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
12 upvotes
16 Replies
Axel Cook
interesting, hadn't considered that
38 upvotes
Lillian White
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
Alice H.
been saying this for years
36 upvotes
Eleanor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 32, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. surprisingly 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
28 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
I work in real estate here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Nolan Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 12 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. healthcare 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers 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 hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Nevaeh Cook
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
22 upvotes
Mason Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
21 upvotes
Anna Gray
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Julian J.
not my experience at all
18 upvotes
Frances R.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great seafood places. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Frances H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
8 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
hmm interesting perspective
7 upvotes
Nicholas Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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