Hey everyone, I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $245,200 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Thoughts? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
5 upvotes
17 Replies
Dominic Kelly
yep
38 upvotes
Valentina Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Leah Thompson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Isaiah N.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Lakewood area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Lily Phillips
not my experience at all
31 upvotes
Stella Castillo
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great craft beer places. it's been a really good experience overall.
31 upvotes
Mark A.
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: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
columbussoul2022
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
27 upvotes
Weston M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are better than expected. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Sofia
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
24 upvotes
hazel_native
underrated comment
21 upvotes
Quinn Hernandez
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 public transit. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Chloe Ramirez
been saying this for years
13 upvotes
jaxrider2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Madison O.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Seattle, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
12 upvotes
Sophia P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is improving in most areas.
9 upvotes
lillian_soul
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. Feel free to reach out with questions..
All Countries
