Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and Median household income is $53,403, which feels on the lower side for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
29 upvotes
6 Replies
Arianna P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 35, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
37 upvotes
Nevaeh
I've lived in Springfield for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The healthcare scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Emmett W.
I'm a social worker and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Alexander Brown
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is improving in most areas.
10 upvotes
Liam T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
5 upvotes
Eliana Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
All Countries
