I'm a college student here and Rent is about $1,301/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up.
2 upvotes
27 Replies
Grayson Thompson
yeah no that's not right
37 upvotes
Bella Gonzalez
Came here for school and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cost of living is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Diane H.
I work in retail here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Quinn K.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Springfield area are average. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
James H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Clara R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 31, moved here 11 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Greenfield and Westside, 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. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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
James B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
32 upvotes
Carson Young
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Ellie Howard
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
29 upvotes
Sophie Harris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Jace Turner
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Pine Hills area are average. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Julia Baker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Ava Hall
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Wesley E.
it depends on the neighborhood
26 upvotes
Cameron Baker
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
Josiah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Isabelle W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
18 upvotes
Isabelle Long
Bought a house here in 2023 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Hannah A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 8 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are average. 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 dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Gabriella Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 42, moved here 6 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
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. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
14 upvotes
Kayden C.
I've lived in Highland for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The housing market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Emily Martinez
accurate
11 upvotes
Jaxon Harris
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Genesis
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Kennedy
as a local I can confirm
8 upvotes
Elizabeth Roberts
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
6 upvotes
sunny_sarah40
Moved here from Seattle about 14 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to community vibe but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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