I'm a 55-year-old teacher and The median home value here is around $321,800, which seems about average. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
18 Replies
Nathan Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Connor Thompson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Leah
lol so true
36 upvotes
Joshua Watson
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The dating scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Addison M.
following this thread
31 upvotes
Ruby
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Rising rent and home prices. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Charlotte Young
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Xavier Price
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Santiago Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Easton A.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Austin Anderson
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
21 upvotes
Nevaeh Collins
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Kinsley Reed
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is improving in most areas.
18 upvotes
Hudson Smith
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Sean G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Bennett Mendoza
I've lived in North for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The outdoor recreation scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Jace Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Dylan Martin
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.