OK so Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $1,966/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 59,933 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Appreciate any input. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to.
4 upvotes
22 Replies
Ellie Howard
haha yep pretty much
37 upvotes
Sadie W.
I work in education here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Christian Jones
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Robert Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Leo Morales
100%
25 upvotes
Carter Parker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is solid in most areas.
21 upvotes
sacramentopapa2025
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Isabelle Ruiz
accurate
21 upvotes
Caleb P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from New York about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Wesley H.
I work in construction here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is improving. Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Jayden
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Aiden Myers
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Brenda M.
same here
13 upvotes
Cora H.
Moved here from San Diego about 11 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Wesley M.
I work in marketing here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
carson_dude
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Brooks Young
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Logan D.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The traffic is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Luna B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
6 upvotes
Dorothy W.
yep
6 upvotes
Everett Rivera
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
3 upvotes
Rylee Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 8 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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