So, Median household income is $98,076, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Worth the trade-offs? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development.
23 upvotes
11 Replies
Skylar Brooks
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
houston_valentina
noted, appreciate it
32 upvotes
Elizabeth
I'm a nurse and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Anthony G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Downtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
22 upvotes
Skylar Collins
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
stlrider2021
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Brooks Rogers
seconding this
20 upvotes
Emilia Roberts
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Lily Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Seattle about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Autumn Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 46, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. better than expected 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 Raleigh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
11 upvotes
Adrian R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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