Hello, We're a young couple and The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Is this normal for Severn? Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to.
23 upvotes
20 Replies
portland_samuel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Everly P.
seconding this
38 upvotes
Stella Chavez
hard disagree but ok
35 upvotes
Axel W.
100%
31 upvotes
proud_jack31
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Jose Patel
following this thread
23 upvotes
Julia Thompson
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much reasonable but now it's improving.
22 upvotes
Cora
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Kaylee Price
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Jose
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The weather is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Julian W.
yep
11 upvotes
Charlotte
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
10 upvotes
Noah R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 24, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Highland and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
9 upvotes
Weston
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
8 upvotes
Victoria Cox
couldn't agree more
7 upvotes
Hazel King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 56, moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in The Heights and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
4 upvotes
Leah L.
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 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 San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Gabriella Jones
Moved here from Seattle about 3 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cost of living but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Nevaeh
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 15 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
John Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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