Hi all, I'm a teacher here and You can expect to pay around $1,108 for rent here. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
19 upvotes
25 Replies
Oliver B.
Moved here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
charlotte_jeremiah
I work in marketing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Sofia Bennett
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
34 upvotes
Jack T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Portland about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Barbara F.
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Zoey
I work in tech here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Kai Adams
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Jayden Reed
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Roman Murphy
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Thai places. it's been a really good experience overall.
24 upvotes
Greyson Gray
yep
16 upvotes
Grace Miller
underrated comment
15 upvotes
Linda P.
not my experience at all
15 upvotes
Jose
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Colton James
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Olivia Price
it depends on the neighborhood
13 upvotes
river_jeremiah43
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 Minneapolis, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Cooper Long
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
6 upvotes
Ryan Cox
Saving this thread
6 upvotes
Donna P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
sophie_runner
+1
4 upvotes
Ezekiel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Andrew N.
seconding this
4 upvotes
Caleb Jackson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Isla Wood
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much wild but now it's decent.
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