Anyone else feel this way? The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Leah
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: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Sarah G.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Jack
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Bella Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are average. 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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.
27 upvotes
Brooklyn
Totally agree!
27 upvotes
Luke Edwards
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Willow Walker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Madeline M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are better than expected. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Leonardo Wood
thanks for sharing
8 upvotes
Claire Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 7 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Amelia Ramos
I've lived in Riverside for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, 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
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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