University Park quality of life -am I missing something?
Anyone else feel this way? Homes are going for about $1,766,700 on average. Poverty rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Any help is appreciated. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
1 upvotes
3 Replies
Ethan Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
real_serenity46
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 48, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Meadowbrook and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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