Considering St. Louis vs New York — help me decide
Hey folks, Average temperature is around 56°F, so the weather is moderate. With a population of 293K, St. Louis is a mid-size city. Household incomes average around $55,279 in St. Louis. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Appreciate any input. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
33 upvotes
12 Replies
Isaac
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Angel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is decent in most areas.
34 upvotes
Audrey Davis
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Asher Mendoza
exactly what I was thinking
26 upvotes
dc_noah
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Jack Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Caleb Carter
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Easton Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 46, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in South and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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
local_dominic98
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 14 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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 better than expected. 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 high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Bennett Flores
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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