Born and raised here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 438K people. With a population of 438K, Oakland is a mid-size city. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
39 upvotes
9 Replies
Ezra Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Austin Jones
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Aria Murphy
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Stella Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Patrick G.
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Henry
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from San Francisco for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Springfield schools are surprisingly good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Jordan H.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
All Countries
