Hi all, Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
17 upvotes
7 Replies
Lucas Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Westside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
38 upvotes
Anna Ross
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Matthew Johnson
lol so true
37 upvotes
Lydia W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 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 4-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Michael Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Eli A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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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