Random thought, I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $107,203 in O'Fallon. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
16 upvotes
29 Replies
Madeline K.
exactly what I was thinking
38 upvotes
Scarlett Cook
I've lived in Springfield for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Mackenzie Ortiz
it depends on the neighborhood
36 upvotes
Kayden Wright
great question, following
33 upvotes
Leo R.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
John R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Jayden Davis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Baltimore about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Natalie P.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
26 upvotes
Naomi Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 31, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Baltimore, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
25 upvotes
Ian Nguyen
I've lived in North for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Madelyn Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Robert
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Naomi Myers
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Andrew M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 46, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
23 upvotes
Emily Taylor
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Sophia Murphy
I'm a data analyst and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Brooks Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Benjamin
I've lived in Highland for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Santiago Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
lake_jordan44
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Riverside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
18 upvotes
Rylee Wright
good to know, thanks
15 upvotes
Adeline White
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
sf_delilah
thanks for sharing
13 upvotes
Sophie Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
lake_bennett5
as a local I can confirm
11 upvotes
Paisley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
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