Alright, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Let me know your thoughts. TIA!
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Jace Stewart
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Kayden N.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Maya Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Andrew C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 37, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 San Diego, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
32 upvotes
William Ramos
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Adrian R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 10 years. Moved from Dallas for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Aubrey Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Hudson J.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Leo Bennett
following this thread
18 upvotes
Jaxon Harris
I've lived in South for about 15 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Joseph Wood
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
12 upvotes
coastal_emilia79
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Springfield area are average. Kids love it here.
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