Been meaning to ask this. I grew up here but left for a while. Average temperature is around 64--F, so the weather is moderate. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Has anyone dealt with this?
15 upvotes
5 Replies
andrew_living
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Elena
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
29 upvotes
Ezekiel Foster
Moved here from Baltimore about 3 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cost of living but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Roman Foster
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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