Curious what people think. Poverty rate is 11.5%, which is around average. It's a a smaller city city with about 66,947 people. Homes are going for about $150,200 on average. Median household income is $56,344, which feels about average for the area. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
21 upvotes
22 Replies
Leah Bennett
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Hunter Hughes
preach
38 upvotes
ella_vibes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Houston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Harper Price
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
31 upvotes
Claire R.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Rylee Lewis
been saying this for years
28 upvotes
Jack Roberts
great question, following
28 upvotes
Jason F.
I work in consulting here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Easton W.
same here
23 upvotes
Bella Long
Bought a house here in 2017 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
21 upvotes
Weston C.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Alexa Bennett
yep
19 upvotes
Brooklyn Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Hailey
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Julian Howard
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Catherine R.
honestly same experience here
13 upvotes
Eleanor Patel
+1
13 upvotes
genesis_kid
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Parker Lewis
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
4 upvotes
Emily Howard
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Cooper H.
I've lived in Downtown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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