Anyone else feel this way? We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 15.0%, which is around average. You can expect to pay around $1,230 for rent here. Rent is about $1,230/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
21 upvotes
23 Replies
Sofia
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is improving in most areas.
39 upvotes
Luca Cooper
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Wyatt Ramos
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The safety is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Anna Watson
glad someone said it
35 upvotes
David Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Ariana Brown
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
31 upvotes
Thomas L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 1 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. 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. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Lily Y.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in West area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Hunter Green
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Pine Hills area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
milwaukee_josiah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Rylee Castillo
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Ethan Peterson
I've lived in Westside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- The public transit scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Ian C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Nathan R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 12 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Maple Ridge schools are improving. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Isla Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely improving and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Sunset) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
16 upvotes
Everett
seconding this
13 upvotes
Peyton Gutierrez
wish I knew this sooner
10 upvotes
Parker W.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
8 upvotes
Oliver Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Daniel S.
Totally agree!
2 upvotes
Allison B.
I work in consulting here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is tough. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Benjamin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 2 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. real estate 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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