Random thought, I'm a college student here and Median household income is $87,477, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 1.1%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $547,400, which is pretty steep. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What are your go-to spots? Thanks! I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Piper H.
100%
37 upvotes
Piper A.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Elijah Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Lily M.
bump
27 upvotes
Waylon H.
Totally agree!
25 upvotes
Natalie Rodriguez
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Pine Hills area are underrated. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Charles W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Portland it's excellent.
20 upvotes
Nevaeh
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Katherine Green
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Naomi Myers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Boston it's decent.
15 upvotes
Camila Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 34, moved here 11 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. improving 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Ian
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Roman Cooper
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Maple Ridge area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Paisley Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Maya Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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