Hello, I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is about average. The median home value here is around $311,900, which seems about average. You can expect to pay around $1,489 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- High property taxes
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Poor road conditions
- Homelessness issues downtown
Anyone in a similar situation? Any help is appreciated. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
29 Replies
Luca R.
I work in manufacturing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Lucas Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Jayden M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Kevin R.
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Michael J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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 tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Jace Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
charlotte_caleb
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 39, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in South and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. excellent 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
31 upvotes
Serenity Campbell
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Delilah Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 12 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Tampa, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
25 upvotes
Parker Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Jeremiah W.
Came here for retirement and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor recreation is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Bella E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 15 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains 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 solid. 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Ellie Sanders
haha yep pretty much
23 upvotes
Roy M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Mia M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Kaylee Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
17 upvotes
avery_heart
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Silas Green
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
portlandrunner2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Uptown schools are challenging. 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
mesa_sophia
+1
14 upvotes
Julie F.
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
Caleb Clark
hard disagree but ok
9 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
accurate
7 upvotes
Ronald R.
couldn't agree more
7 upvotes
urban_reagan7
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
6 upvotes
Jacob Cox
this is the way
3 upvotes
Wyatt Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are solid. 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 shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Addison Gomez
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
2 upvotes
Carter Ross
Bought a house here in 2020 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
All Countries
