Not sure if this has been asked before, but Poverty rate is 19.7%, which is higher than I expected. With a population of 1,190, Plains is a small town. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What neighborhoods would you suggest? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
8 upvotes
5 Replies
Nova Thompson
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Kaylee M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 31, moved here 6 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Meadowbrook and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. better than expected 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
29 upvotes
Jacob Garcia
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
savannah_dude
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Mark C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 33, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in East and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
All Countries
