It's a a small town city with about 11,728 people. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 15.8%, which is higher than I expected. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Skylar F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Adrian Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Jayden Clark
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Eleanor Flores
I'm a nurse and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Sebastian Wood
exactly what I was thinking
24 upvotes
Alexis C.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
23 upvotes
Isabelle W.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Bella L.
I work in real estate here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is underrated. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Joseph R.
This.
15 upvotes
Peyton Castillo
it depends on the neighborhood
14 upvotes
Emma
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
12 upvotes
dcgirl2021
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
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