Been meaning to ask this. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Poverty rate is 8.3%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 79,035 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I wrong here? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
17 upvotes
25 Replies
Austin H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Everett Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Brooklyn
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is solid in most areas.
35 upvotes
born_joseph43
Came here for school and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Mason G.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
boston_kennedy
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 Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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:**
government is strong here. real estate 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking 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 better than expected. 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. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Ann C.
Moved here from Denver about 5 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to walkability but Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Clara
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The weather is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Amelia Turner
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Diego it's solid.
22 upvotes
Luna B.
Moved here from Raleigh about 11 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to safety but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Michael Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Mason Smith
same here
21 upvotes
Arianna Scott
I've lived in North for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Josiah Diaz
interesting, hadn't considered that
14 upvotes
Bobby R.
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. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Zoey Rodriguez
Saving this thread
13 upvotes
Andrew Martinez
100%
10 upvotes
Ariana K.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Landon
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Nolan G.
spot on
7 upvotes
nyc_peyton
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Mason
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 44, moved here 5 years ago from LA. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
4 upvotes
Mateo Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Everly
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Levi Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 5 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Pine Hills 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
