Anyone else feel this way? Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Alton sits at 1,016.7 per 100K. With a population of 25,430, Alton is a smaller city. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,430 people. Household incomes average around $53,005 in Alton. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I overthinking this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
5 Replies
Aaron White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 7 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. education 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield 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. Urban sprawl is real. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Daniel Evans
Bought a house here in 2022 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Samuel N.
accurate
30 upvotes
isla_living
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Michael Peterson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
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