Hello, I grew up here but left for a while. Rent is about $770/month for a decent place. Median household income is $58,140, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $121,200, which is actually reasonable. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Good job market
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Rising rent prices
- Limited cultural events
The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Hailey Hill
wish I knew this sooner
33 upvotes
Allison
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Asher Ruiz
+1
28 upvotes
Peyton C.
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 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 Nashville, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Mia Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are solid. 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. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Kai Ross
great question, following
17 upvotes
Jace M.
nah I disagree
14 upvotes
Ethan Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Hunter Gonzalez
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
11 upvotes
Emmett E.
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Arianna Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Luca P.
Came here for family and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Parker Wilson
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Rylee Castillo
I've lived in North for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. 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 public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
0 upvotes
Everett Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. East schools are hit or miss. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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