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Ian Gutierrez living

St. Joseph quality of life -am I missing something?

Hello, We're a young couple and It's a a smaller city city with about 71,542 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Anyone in a similar situation? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes

3 Replies

Mason Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Springfield for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are excellent. 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Anna Bailey
following this thread
36 upvotes
William H.
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
20 upvotes
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