Anyone else feel this way? I work in legal and Rent is about $1,648/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $405,800, which is pretty steep. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I wrong here? TIA! The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
12 upvotes
22 Replies
Benjamin Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Stella H.
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
40 upvotes
Rylee P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Chicago about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Kennedy C.
nah I disagree
37 upvotes
Natalie Patel
exactly what I was thinking
35 upvotes
Kaylee F.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Naomi Ramos
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 8 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Jackson F.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
28 upvotes
Jameson Hughes
spot on
27 upvotes
Grayson Reed
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The nightlife is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Gerald S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Nova R.
Totally agree!
23 upvotes
Luke S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 7 years. Moved from Phoenix for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are tough. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Maverick Hall
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Vivian
yep
15 upvotes
Silas W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 54, moved here 10 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Uptown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
10 upvotes
Avery
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Ann W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Fairview) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
8 upvotes
Lillian C.
+1
7 upvotes
Christine F.
100%
6 upvotes
Amelia
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
2 upvotes
Sadie Wood
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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