So, Crime rate is something to consider -Summerville sits at 351.7 per 100K. Poverty rate is 7.3%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 51,262 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Should I be concerned? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
25 upvotes
18 Replies
jace_mind
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Alexander Clark
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is solid in most areas.
37 upvotes
Willie W.
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Evan M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 25, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - 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 pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Phoenix, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
32 upvotes
Nova H.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor recreation is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
desert_ella26
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Baltimore for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. marketing 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are solid. 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. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Kennedy C.
I've lived in Highland for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
- The cultural scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Xavier Turner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely improving and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
24 upvotes
Cooper Jones
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Andrew Cook
I'm a software engineer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
omahavibes2022
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Seattle it's challenging.
18 upvotes
Harper B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is tough in most areas.
13 upvotes
Camila Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Chicago it's challenging.
13 upvotes
Angel L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
13 upvotes
Andrea R.
+1
10 upvotes
Angel
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Elena Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Mateo Ward
Moved here from Seattle about 14 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to community vibe but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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