Curious what people think. I'm a 27-year-old physical therapist and It's a a smaller city city with about 58,548 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
24 upvotes
19 Replies
Easton Baker
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Christian
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Marilyn C.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Thai places. I love the pace of life here.
35 upvotes
Mateo Watson
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
35 upvotes
Eliana Bailey
I've lived in Lakewood for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Sarah Brooks
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Audrey G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Logan C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Clara W.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
23 upvotes
Joseph W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Frank M.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
21 upvotes
Quinn K.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Sadie Myers
Bought a house here in 2017 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
19 upvotes
Hannah Patel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
15 upvotes
Ruby S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 12 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
philly_emilia
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
Levi G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are surprisingly good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Wesley Long
I've lived in Sunset for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong sense of community
- The nightlife scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Quinn Roberts
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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