First post here. I relocated for work and Poverty rate is 5.9%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,247 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up.
29 upvotes
14 Replies
Jackson Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
36 upvotes
Jose S.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Caleb K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Affordable housing 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. Nightlife is limited
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
29 upvotes
Robert Evans
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Elizabeth
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
23 upvotes
Lily N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 41, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. average 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 San Diego, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
18 upvotes
Grace Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Nashville about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Valentina Hill
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Denver it's excellent.
14 upvotes
Allison Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Nathan H.
lol so true
6 upvotes
Samuel Gonzalez
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
4 upvotes
Genesis G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Josiah Sanders
Bought a house here in 2024 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
0 upvotes
Charlotte T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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