Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $1,410 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thanks for reading. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
27 Replies
Mateo Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis 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 Pine Hills. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
mesafan2024
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
Ezekiel Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
milwaukee_josiah
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Silas Anderson
lol so true
32 upvotes
Harper Martinez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great BBQ places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Madelyn
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
30 upvotes
Miles Clark
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The weather is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Melanie Wood
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Jacob
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much wild but now it's excellent.
24 upvotes
Valentina Wood
This.
23 upvotes
Audrey Brooks
yep
21 upvotes
Silas Castillo
Moved here from Phoenix about 10 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to weather but Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Audrey Rodriguez
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Riverside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Violet T.
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Luca Ramirez
yep
19 upvotes
John H.
100%
18 upvotes
Chloe Williams
nah I disagree
17 upvotes
Emilia Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Addison
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 11 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes 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 better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Stephen S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Mia Ruiz
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Aubrey Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Chicago about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
philly_jordan
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
9 upvotes
Wesley
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Denver about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Sofia Brooks
haha yep pretty much
2 upvotes
Jaxon Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Downtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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
