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Emmett Morris
living
Is St. John getting better or worse?
Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 9.1%, which is pretty low.
8 upvotes
4 Replies
Ryan P.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Lillian Johnson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Ella H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 49, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a teacher, 49, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
22 upvotes
Gianna Morales
Moved here from Chicago about 1 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to community vibe but Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes