OK so My partner and I are With a population of 143K, Thornton is a mid-size city. The median home value here is around $482,200, which is pretty steep. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Is this normal for Thornton? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development.
12 upvotes
28 Replies
Aaron Sanders
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
38 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
I've lived in Uptown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- The cultural scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Stella Thomas
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
36 upvotes
Naomi Morris
same here
35 upvotes
James Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 4 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. 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. Highland schools are underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Road conditions need improvement. 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.
35 upvotes
Nevaeh Johnson
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
Jack Hughes
thanks for sharing
28 upvotes
sdkid2026
Moved here last year, no regrets.
27 upvotes
Theodore Rivera
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Madeline C.
I've lived in Springfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Eli D.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
retail is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Westside 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
portlandrunner2021
same here
25 upvotes
Dylan Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Christian
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The traffic is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Eleanor Collins
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Logan Ross
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Asian places. I love the pace of life here.
18 upvotes
Paisley
I work in hospitality here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Bella Kim
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
18 upvotes
Eli Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Dominic C.
Moved here from Chicago about 15 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Julian Mendoza
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The community vibe is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Silas Ramirez
big facts right here
11 upvotes
Autumn Howard
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Sofia White
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
Aiden Patel
good to know, thanks
4 upvotes
Nathan Williams
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
3 upvotes
Ezra Brown
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
All Countries
