Anyone else feel this way? I've been here for 3 years and The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 66--F, so the weather is moderate. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Worth the trade-offs? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
6 upvotes
10 Replies
Ryan Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Weston Campbell
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
36 upvotes
Jameson Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Brooks Jimenez
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
Clara Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Sophie
nah I disagree
24 upvotes
Emma Young
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Elena Wilson
interesting, hadn't considered that
5 upvotes
Ian P.
I've lived in Springfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Stephen W.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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