Curious what people think. I relocated for work and Rent is about $1,943/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 7,745 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Susan E.
I'm a accountant and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Cora
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Sofia Torres
Bought a house here in 2016 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
36 upvotes
Matthew C.
spot on
29 upvotes
Riley Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
miamipapa2023
I've lived in Old Town for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Jack C.
facts
22 upvotes
Caleb Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 44, moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
21 upvotes
Genesis
Bought a house here in 2022 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
17 upvotes
Easton L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
George P.
I've lived in West for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The safety scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Riley M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
columbusrider2024
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Weston Moore
Moved here from Nashville about 14 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Miles Flores
I work in consulting here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.