Hey everyone, I work in automotive and The median home value here is around $409,000, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $1,682/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $96,780 in Smyrna. With a population of 56,285, Smyrna is a smaller city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Should I be concerned? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
28 upvotes
17 Replies
Gabriel C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Dallas, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
40 upvotes
Sebastian D.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
38 upvotes
Greyson Ramos
+1
33 upvotes
Adam
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. 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 significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails 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 pretty good. 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 shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Julian W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Alexa James
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Allison
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Theodore
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly 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. Riverside schools are challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Liam Watson
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cultural scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Carson Stewart
great question, following
14 upvotes
Nova Morris
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
14 upvotes
Avery Davis
as a local I can confirm
13 upvotes
born_sophie77
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Eleanor L.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Roger M.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Lily Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
All Countries
