I'm a teacher here and It's a a smaller city city with about 64,723 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What would you do? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
22 Replies
Joan N.
seconding this
40 upvotes
coastal_piper98
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The healthcare is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Mason Moore
facts
30 upvotes
Kenneth M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Eli F.
nah I disagree
27 upvotes
Jameson Gomez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Josiah Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Liam Flores
preach
20 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
+1
19 upvotes
Hudson Lee
hmm interesting perspective
19 upvotes
Isaiah Young
Moved here from Denver about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cultural scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Camila
I'm a social worker and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Natalie Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
16 upvotes
Kennedy Smith
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Adeline Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
oaklandlife2024
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to San Diego it's pretty good.
10 upvotes
Mason Castillo
good to know, thanks
10 upvotes
Reagan Reed
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Oak Park area are excellent. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
milwaukee_scarlett
I've lived in South for about 4 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 Minneapolis, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Hunter Gray
underrated comment
3 upvotes
Grayson White
Moved here from Raleigh about 6 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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