Curious what people think. You can expect to pay around $1,789 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 57,224 people. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
13 upvotes
12 Replies
raised_declan73
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
38 upvotes
Sarah Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Portland about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Isabella R.
Moved here from Boston about 11 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to public transit but Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Autumn Morgan
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 Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking 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 surprisingly good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Jaxon Cooper
nah I disagree
9 upvotes
Kai Jackson
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
7 upvotes
Weston Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Quinn Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 8 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are underrated. 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. Can feel isolated. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Jonathan Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Sebastian Ruiz
I work in government here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is decent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Jayden Jones
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
2 upvotes
Lillian Campbell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
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