Hey everyone, Rent is about $855/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 11.7%, which is around average. It's a a small town city with about 1,877 people. Average temperature is around 57--F, so the weather is moderate. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
2 upvotes
7 Replies
Jacob C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 15 years. Moved from Nashville for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests 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 solid. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Kathryn W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Cora
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Aubrey Morales
couldn't agree more
23 upvotes
Dennis R.
glad someone said it
18 upvotes
Avery Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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