Curious what people think. I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $51,834, which feels on the lower side for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -West Little River sits at 581.2 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think?
16 upvotes
10 Replies
Joseph Morales
Moved here last year, no regrets.
31 upvotes
Benjamin Carter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. South schools are solid. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Hailey Hall
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's solid.
28 upvotes
true_aiden80
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
28 upvotes
Brooklyn
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The public transit scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
violet_runner
Came here for quality of life and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Bennett H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from New York about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Matthew King
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Samuel Chavez
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
John R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
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