I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $109,600, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $62,887, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is about average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thanks for reading. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
luna_rider
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Xavier Bennett
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much stable but now it's improving.
39 upvotes
Landon S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Gianna Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Ariana Taylor
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Oak Park area are challenging. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Gabriella Anderson
bump
26 upvotes
Wesley Bailey
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Caleb Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Greyson Jackson
lol so true
21 upvotes
Bella Ward
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Elijah G.
I've lived in East for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Camila K.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
William James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 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. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Springfield schools are challenging. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Kinsley Hall
Used to live on the South side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
4 upvotes
Valentina Martin
Moved here from Austin about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to weather but Feel free to reach out with questions..
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