Random thought, Poverty rate is 10.6%, which is around average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What are your go-to spots? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
6 upvotes
12 Replies
Stella Howard
facts
39 upvotes
Logan Ross
interesting, hadn't considered that
39 upvotes
Roman
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Thai places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
Eli Taylor
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Adam Kelly
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
27 upvotes
Caleb
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 52, moved here 2 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
23 upvotes
Skylar Perez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Andrew
bump
14 upvotes
Elena Cox
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
12 upvotes
Maverick
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Audrey Richardson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
All Countries
