Hi all, I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $998/month for a decent place. It's a a mid-size city city with about 412K people. You can expect to pay around $998 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider — Tulsa sits at 986.8 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Nice parks and trails
- Easy commute
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Limited nightlife
- Not very walkable
- Boring for young people
- Poor road conditions
Thanks for reading. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
23 upvotes
14 Replies
Caroline Ramos
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great craft beer places. it exceeded my expectations.
39 upvotes
Eliana Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 9 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are decent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Evan Murphy
This.
35 upvotes
chill_mason80
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Springfield schools are improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
sophia_chef
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 5 years. Moved from Houston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Road conditions need improvement. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Brielle Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Austin for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Lori E.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to San Francisco it's average.
20 upvotes
Leonardo Wilson
accurate
17 upvotes
Alexa
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Larry W.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Emma White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Matthew M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
4 upvotes
Madelyn Richardson
I work in healthcare here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is better than expected. Hope this helps!.