Curious what people think. Poverty rate is 7.0%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $168,400 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
5 upvotes
17 Replies
Riley Ruiz
lol so true
40 upvotes
Chloe E.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
tulsawalker2024
This.
39 upvotes
Robert Flores
honestly same experience here
32 upvotes
Violet R.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great sushi places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
31 upvotes
Ellie Cook
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Hazel Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Miles Cooper
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Stella M.
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
Autumn W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 29, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
26 upvotes
Madelyn B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Claire Clark
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
12 upvotes
Daniel S.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Alexa Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 29, moved here 5 years ago from LA. I've lived in West and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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