My partner and I are Median household income is $87,171, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. Thoughts? Thanks for reading. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
35 upvotes
27 Replies
Isabelle Morales
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Eli Miller
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
39 upvotes
Wesley Flores
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Asher Ramirez
following this thread
31 upvotes
Oliver P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Bruce L.
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The weather is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Cooper B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
27 upvotes
Everett Richardson
haha yep pretty much
26 upvotes
Riley W.
facts
21 upvotes
Roman Wright
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Piper Watson
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
Elijah Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Kinsley Davis
100%
14 upvotes
Madeline Sanders
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Wesley Anderson
honestly same experience here
10 upvotes
Jacob Baker
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is average and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Alexander Thomas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Portland about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Avery M.
seconding this
10 upvotes
Nora Morgan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Adam Taylor
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Sofia Edwards
100%
7 upvotes
charlottechef2021
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 12 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Old Town and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Philip C.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Jack Garcia
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Camila Brooks
Bought a house here in 2019 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
4 upvotes
Addison Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 11 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts 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 average. 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. Limited public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Lillian A.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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