Pleasant Grove quality of life -am I missing something?
Hey, I'm a college student here and Poverty rate is 4.2%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $454,300, which is pretty steep. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
25 upvotes
12 Replies
Leonardo Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 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 Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Mackenzie Evans
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
Linda B.
couldn't agree more
37 upvotes
Luca Adams
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
33 upvotes
Elena Sanchez
Totally agree!
25 upvotes
Natalie Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 6 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking 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 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Victoria M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Downtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
22 upvotes
Sarah Green
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
Dylan Collins
bump
16 upvotes
Jonathan C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Nathan J.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Kennedy Perez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Riverside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.