I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 1,092, Thompson is a small town. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
3 upvotes
10 Replies
Mateo Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 29, moved here 6 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Oak Park and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Miami, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
36 upvotes
Landon R.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Dennis R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Raleigh it's average.
29 upvotes
Lily
facts
27 upvotes
Arianna Diaz
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
Victoria Cox
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Benjamin Gomez
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The community vibe is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Virginia A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Amanda B.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much pricey but now it's average.
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