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Ian Gonzalez living

What I wish I knew before living in Speedway

Not sure if this has been asked before, but We're a young couple and With a population of 13,622, Speedway is a small town. Median household income is $57,158, which feels about average for the area. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Let me know your thoughts. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
15 upvotes

14 Replies

Madeline Martin
100%
39 upvotes
Clara Bennett
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much established but now it's hit or miss.
36 upvotes
Isaiah
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- The outdoor recreation scene is surprisingly good

The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Lillian A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a data analyst, 53, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
32 upvotes
Josiah Hall
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The walkability is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Naomi S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Denver about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.

Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown

Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.

Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Wesley S.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is tough in most areas.
25 upvotes
Benjamin Hill
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is improving in most areas.
23 upvotes
Theresa H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is average in most areas.
21 upvotes
John B.
thanks for sharing
13 upvotes
John Garcia
100%
11 upvotes
Cora C.
noted, appreciate it
8 upvotes
Mia Sanchez
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Fairview area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Isaiah Sanders
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
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