First post here. I'm single, late 30s, and The median home value here is around $53,700, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $34,320 in Skidway Lake. Median household income is $34,320, which feels on the lower side for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Skidway Lake sits at 239.4 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Does this match your experience? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
3 upvotes
2 Replies
indy_melanie
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Skylar Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 42, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Denver, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
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