Hello, I relocated for work and The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 4.7%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
14 upvotes
8 Replies
Lucas M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Quinn R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Emma P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 50, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Sunset and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. surprisingly good 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
34 upvotes
Noah Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are excellent. 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. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Autumn S.
Moved here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to food scene but Hope this helps!.