I grew up here but left for a while. Household incomes average around $75,344 in Newman. With a population of 12,299, Newman is a small town. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $1,227/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. Would love some local perspective. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
8 upvotes
10 Replies
Colton Stewart
glad someone said it
39 upvotes
Peyton Cox
it depends on the neighborhood
36 upvotes
brielle_chef
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Clara Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Melanie Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Paisley
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
23 upvotes
Denise T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - 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. The Heights 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.