Longtime lurker here, I'm originally from Las Vegas and Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cheers. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
11 upvotes
22 Replies
Peyton T.
facts
39 upvotes
Luna
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Sophia Ortiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Tampa it's excellent.
37 upvotes
Jackson F.
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
parker_native
same here
36 upvotes
Lucy Mendoza
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Adam R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to San Diego it's challenging.
34 upvotes
David A.
I've lived in Eastside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The dating scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Audrey Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 13 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts 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 underrated. 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. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Sophia Carter
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
28 upvotes
Carson Williams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 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 Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Colton Diaz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Addison Jones
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
John Adams
Saving this thread
18 upvotes
Luna
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. South schools are solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Cora Stewart
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Brooks Reyes
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 4 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to healthcare but Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Nora K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Rylee Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Quinn Hernandez
I'm a sales manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Alexander Morgan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Elizabeth Patel
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much competitive but now it's pretty good.
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