Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $343,200 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
17 upvotes
10 Replies
chloe_soul
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 8 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Delilah H.
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The housing market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Addison Carter
I've lived in Old Town for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The school system scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
sunny_carson3
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are surprisingly 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. Limited public transit options. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Leonardo Brown
literally same
18 upvotes
Zoey Sanchez
I've lived in North for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Hudson Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 15 years. Moved from LA for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Greenfield 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. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Serenity S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Ruby Wilson
accurate
3 upvotes
Serenity Miller
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..