Alright, I'm originally from St. Louis and Poverty rate is 10.5%, which is around average. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this?
13 upvotes
7 Replies
Zoey Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Cameron Gray
literally same
16 upvotes
Alexa Carter
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Savannah Hughes
literally same
11 upvotes
Mason W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
5 upvotes
Michael
I've lived in Springfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Nova Phillips
I work in consulting here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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