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Luke Flores housing

Cost of living reality check -Smithfield

Alright, I'm single, late 50s, and Homes are going for about $406,300 on average. Median household income is $90,602, which feels pretty solid for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Has anyone dealt with this?
4 upvotes

8 Replies

Ashley B.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Cedar Grove area are average. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Grayson H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Old Town and Springfield, 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. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
40 upvotes
Kaylee T.
been saying this for years
38 upvotes
Jace Stewart
I'm a contractor and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Ariana Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.

Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.

People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Noah Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
mesa_harper
following this thread
13 upvotes
Quinn P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
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