Hey, Crime rate is something to consider -Russell Springs sits at 304.0 per 100K. Poverty rate is 23.7%, which is higher than I expected. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I overthinking this? The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
11 upvotes
6 Replies
Aurora Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Old Town 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. Limited public transit options. Property taxes are high. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Aria
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
miami_arianna
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Westside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour 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.
29 upvotes
Wesley Thomas
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
David G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Everly Chavez
Came here for school and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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