Random thought, My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $312,200 on average. The median home value here is around $312,200, which seems about average. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Appreciate any input.
16 upvotes
18 Replies
Jacob R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
40 upvotes
Jace W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 58, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Midtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
36 upvotes
Isaac Jones
bump
32 upvotes
Natalie R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Eliana W.
yep
27 upvotes
Eva Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Abigail Moore
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Levi H.
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
Isaac Cox
I've lived in Springfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Cameron Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Delilah Price
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
18 upvotes
Ryan Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. 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. Highland 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Sebastian Hernandez
I'm a accountant and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
loving_isla68
Moved here from Austin about 8 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to community vibe but Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
nolarider2026
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 35, moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. tough 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 Atlanta, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
8 upvotes
Melanie Brooks
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Cameron Smith
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 13 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. construction 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. 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. Can feel isolated. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Claire Sanders
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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