Rent is about $1,985/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Anyone in a similar situation? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Nicholas Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
alice_soul
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Emily Martinez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
columbus_aaron
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Matthew Martinez
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The healthcare is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
charlotte_arianna
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
30 upvotes
Grace C.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Aria Bennett
preach
21 upvotes
Cameron Thompson
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Quinn Diaz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Victoria Parker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is improving in most areas.
11 upvotes
Ethan R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Delilah C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 4 years. Moved from LA for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 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:**
engineering is strong here. engineering 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. South 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, 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.
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