Thinking about relocating to Opa-locka from Las Vegas
I relocated for work and With a population of 16,097, Opa-locka is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 16,097 people. Homes are going for about $281,000 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What would you do? Any help is appreciated. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
sdmama2020
Used to live on the East side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
34 upvotes
Alice A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Savannah Ruiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Phoenix it's tough.
24 upvotes
Addison
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Isaac Smith
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 Dallas for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes 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 pretty 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, 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.
15 upvotes
dc_jose
I've lived in Downtown for about 8 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 San Diego, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The nightlife scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Ellie Richardson
100%
9 upvotes
Julian Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Doris H.
good to know, thanks
5 upvotes
Jack Moore
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
2 upvotes
William Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.