OK so Crime rate is something to consider -Spanish Springs sits at 326.6 per 100K. Poverty rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Any advice would be great.
1 upvotes
15 Replies
Weston White
great question, following
34 upvotes
Arianna
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
34 upvotes
Claire Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Isaiah Reed
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
29 upvotes
Amelia Gutierrez
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cost of living is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Levi Walker
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
25 upvotes
Mia Davis
spot on
23 upvotes
Lillian Watson
noted, appreciate it
23 upvotes
Elijah Hernandez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Weston Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 12 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Oak Park schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Kayden E.
hmm interesting perspective
12 upvotes
Zoe
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Thai places. it exceeded my expectations.
7 upvotes
Silas Thompson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
6 upvotes
Rachel M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. education 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Eastside schools are underrated. 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. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Jonathan M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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