Been meaning to ask this. My partner and I are Rent is about $2,940/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
30 upvotes
7 Replies
Eli C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
36 upvotes
Autumn G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 13 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. 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. Midtown 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Eva E.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Highland area are improving. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Allison Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Alexander Thompson
Moved here from Minneapolis about 4 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Jayden P.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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