Random thought, I'm a 43-year-old lawyer and It's a a small town city with about 4,231 people. Crime rate is something to consider -West Laurel sits at 593.4 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Should I be concerned? Appreciate any input. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
1 upvotes
11 Replies
Lucy Bailey
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is tough in most areas.
38 upvotes
Ellie Robinson
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Xavier Ruiz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
Ruby Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 27, moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. underrated 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
32 upvotes
Kaylee R.
I've lived in Springfield for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The housing market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
stl_paisley
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Silas Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
Saving this thread
8 upvotes
Madelyn Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Joan S.
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..
3 upvotes
Chloe Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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