Hey folks, I'm a college student here and Rent is about $1,201/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 14.7%, which is around average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
44 upvotes
29 Replies
Aaliyah Gray
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Thai places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
39 upvotes
Maya
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
real_alice76
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Maverick M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 50, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Highland and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 New York, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
36 upvotes
Luna Roberts
good to know, thanks
35 upvotes
Carson
yeah no that's not right
34 upvotes
Julia L.
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The healthcare scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Axel Gomez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Raleigh about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Adam Sanders
Moved here from Denver about 12 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to nightlife but Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Martha J.
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Aubrey Harris
facts
21 upvotes
Andrew Mitchell
haha yep pretty much
20 upvotes
Evan Hernandez
yep
18 upvotes
Robert R.
I work in finance here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is hit or miss. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Jerry A.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Camila Nguyen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Madeline Foster
spot on
14 upvotes
Ian B.
accurate
13 upvotes
Alexander Mitchell
Moved here from Minneapolis about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Peyton Parker
I work in marketing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is better than expected. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Billy R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 32, moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Greenfield and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Raleigh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
7 upvotes
Alexa C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Violet Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Nathan B.
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramirez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Paisley S.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor recreation is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
rylee_fan
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Peter M.
This.
1 upvotes
George K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 13 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are surprisingly 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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