Random thought, I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $557,600 on average. The median home value here is around $557,600, which is pretty steep. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What do you all think?
12 upvotes
35 Replies
Isabella Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Caroline Garcia
as a local I can confirm
38 upvotes
Evelyn
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 51, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
35 upvotes
Isabelle R.
same here
35 upvotes
Victoria B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
34 upvotes
Thomas C.
This.
33 upvotes
Sebastian H.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
32 upvotes
Kayden Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (East) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
31 upvotes
Thomas Gutierrez
facts
29 upvotes
Kai Ortiz
hmm interesting perspective
26 upvotes
Audrey
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is average in most areas.
24 upvotes
Natalie Evans
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great BBQ places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Zoey
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
liam_guy
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 Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 hit or miss. 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 very walkable outside downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Linda B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is average in most areas.
15 upvotes
Addison
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
Anna Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Sophia Ortiz
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
14 upvotes
living_eleanor17
thanks for sharing
14 upvotes
grace_kid
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
11 upvotes
Leah Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 49, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Uptown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
9 upvotes
Austin Brooks
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Landon Gutierrez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Emma R.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much developing but now it's average.
6 upvotes
Wyatt Foster
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
6 upvotes
omaharider2020
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
William Jones
been saying this for years
3 upvotes
Weston Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
legal is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are pretty 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. Limited public transit options. Property taxes are high. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Alexander Baker
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
2 upvotes
Amanda G.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much manageable but now it's solid.
2 upvotes
Paul S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 9 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
2 upvotes
Dylan Martinez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
1 upvotes
Lily Smith
Bought a house here in 2022 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
1 upvotes
Asher Martin
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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