Anyone else feel this way? I'm single, late 50s, and Median household income is $107,054, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Anyone in a similar situation? Any help is appreciated.
18 upvotes
26 Replies
Kayden Scott
I've lived in South for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- The job market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Caroline Ramirez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Boston it's better than expected.
34 upvotes
Riley
Used to live on the West side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
34 upvotes
Lillian Gomez
lol so true
32 upvotes
Miles Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (East) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
audrey_heart
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Thomas Cooper
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to LA it's pretty good.
30 upvotes
Ella G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 27, moved here 6 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
28 upvotes
Kenneth P.
big facts right here
27 upvotes
Christian Harris
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
gabriel_life
it depends on the neighborhood
27 upvotes
Miles C.
seconding this
24 upvotes
Aurora Young
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Caleb Morris
I've lived in North 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 traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The traffic scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Robert Allen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Logan Flores
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
18 upvotes
Everly Perez
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Jose Ross
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Luna Mendoza
following this thread
13 upvotes
Riley Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Maya J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Ezekiel W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Daniel Ross
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
9 upvotes
nycdude2021
following this thread
6 upvotes
Olivia
same here
5 upvotes
Savannah Kim
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
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