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Rylee Moore
jobs
Washington Mills job market vs Chicago
Been meaning to ask this. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
tulsa_jeremiah
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
39 upvotes
Aiden Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. better than expected 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. better than expected 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
35 upvotes
Jaxon G.
I work in tech here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is excellent. Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Miles Edwards
Saving this thread
24 upvotes
Roman Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Downtown schools are excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Downtown schools are excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
mountain_sophia27
I work in government here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is better than expected. Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Declan Anderson
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
charlotte_jameson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
13 upvotes
Piper James
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Everly R.
following this thread
10 upvotes
Luke Flores
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Wyatt
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
Ian Baker
big facts right here
5 upvotes
Violet Wood
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes