Hi all, My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $63,281 in Saxapahaw. Average temperature is around 59--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Jonathan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
34 upvotes
Levi Chavez
literally same
29 upvotes
Santiago Campbell
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Thai places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
29 upvotes
Cora Rivera
yeah no that's not right
27 upvotes
Eli Sanchez
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in The Heights area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Alice
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
cool_noah73
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
William Cooper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 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:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are decent. 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 high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Brooklyn Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Austin about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Luca Ruiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
8 upvotes
Lily Hall
Used to live on the East side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
6 upvotes
Ezekiel Sanders
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
6 upvotes
Lucy Foster
great question, following
4 upvotes
Scott W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 7 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Springfield 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
