Hey, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and It's a a smaller city city with about 44,830 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
8 upvotes
11 Replies
Nolan Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 29, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Chicago, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
35 upvotes
Kaylee Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Christian N.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Riverside area are improving. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
indy_grayson
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much established but now it's tough.
23 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 37, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Portland, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
23 upvotes
Madeline Young
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The safety is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Stella Miller
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Connor Rivera
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Aria M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 15 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
12 upvotes
Ariana
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Gianna W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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