All Countries
Eugene F.
jobs
Freelancing from Visalia — experience?
OK so Poverty rate is 8.8%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do?
13 upvotes
8 Replies
Arianna
I've lived in Springfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Samantha B.
great question, following
36 upvotes
Isaiah Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
tucsonkid2025
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The community vibe scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Paisley Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
22 upvotes
Amanda T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 4 years. Moved from Chicago for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Sunset 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Sunset for 4 years. Moved from Chicago for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Sunset 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Jace
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
tucsonchef2020
I work in real estate here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is average. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes