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Madelyn Chavez housing

Rent vs buy in On Top of the World -what makes sense?

Anyone else feel this way? I've been here for 11 years and The median home value here is around $275,000, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $275,000 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
1 upvotes

6 Replies

caroline_girl
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Ezra
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 36, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Springfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
33 upvotes
Scarlett R.
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Bella Ramos
literally same
9 upvotes
Nevaeh Reyes
preach
9 upvotes
Brian R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
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