Hey, I'm a remote worker and Poverty rate is 5.5%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $295,500 on average. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
28 upvotes
30 Replies
Caleb Carter
Moved here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to safety but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Alexa
big facts right here
36 upvotes
Jose Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 34, moved here 4 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
33 upvotes
Mateo C.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Noah Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Springfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
33 upvotes
Zoe Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Francisco about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Greyson Watson
accurate
32 upvotes
Sadie Patel
+1
31 upvotes
Quinn Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Eastside schools are hit or miss. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Wesley Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Allison Reed
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Riverside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
James C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is challenging in most areas.
24 upvotes
Josiah Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. South schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Urban sprawl is real. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
charlottesoul2026
exactly what I was thinking
23 upvotes
Henry W.
yeah no that's not right
21 upvotes
indy_mason
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Eliana R.
I work in legal here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Serenity Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
21 upvotes
Clara Bennett
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
20 upvotes
Madelyn Allen
I work in tech here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is challenging. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Victoria Phillips
good to know, thanks
17 upvotes
Peyton Chavez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Springfield schools are pretty good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Everly Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Hannah Lee
I've lived in North for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Avery B.
I work in manufacturing here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Avery Jones
hard disagree but ok
12 upvotes
Axel M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
real_ezekiel33
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
5 upvotes
Emilia Ramirez
Came here for work and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
ruby_guy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
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