Hey folks, Homes are going for about $182,400 on average. Household incomes average around $66,932 in Center Hill. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Avery Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 8 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
James Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Brooklyn J.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Mia M.
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Hudson Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 8 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Stella Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
24 upvotes
Miles Flores
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
24 upvotes
Ezekiel Sanchez
exactly what I was thinking
23 upvotes
Ariana Foster
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Robert A.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Uptown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Gabriel Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Bruce G.
I've lived in Westside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- The outdoor recreation scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Natalie Roberts
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
Hannah Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
milwaukee_jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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