Curious what people think. Median household income is $101,099, which feels pretty solid for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development.
17 upvotes
18 Replies
Clara Miller
nah I disagree
40 upvotes
Gabriella Peterson
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
40 upvotes
Jace Peterson
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The nightlife is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Claire Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Springfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
35 upvotes
Christian Cook
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Valentina Turner
same here
33 upvotes
Julian Thompson
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
31 upvotes
Michael Thompson
Moved here from Tampa about 2 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to dating scene but Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Nora Cook
Came here for cost of living and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Piper Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Valentina Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Highland and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
16 upvotes
Robert H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is solid in most areas.
8 upvotes
chill_daniel43
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Lily Y.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
5 upvotes
Camila White
100%
4 upvotes
Ruby Torres
same here
1 upvotes
proud_jace35
Moved here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but Hope this helps!.
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