Homes are going for about $165,200 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I overthinking this? Thanks in advance! The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Caroline Peterson
accurate
40 upvotes
Martha J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is tough in most areas.
40 upvotes
milwaukeechef2021
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Delilah Brooks
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Riverside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Kenneth M.
seconding this
28 upvotes
Carol R.
it depends on the neighborhood
24 upvotes
stlguy2024
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much wild but now it's pretty good.
23 upvotes
Anna Gomez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Isabella Baker
Totally agree!
16 upvotes
Nathan Rivera
good to know, thanks
7 upvotes
Liam
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Miami, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
6 upvotes
Mia Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in The Heights and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. challenging 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.