My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $193,100 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 59,271 people. Poverty rate is 6.9%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $64,985, which feels about average for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Mackenzie Ward
lol so true
38 upvotes
Silas Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 27, moved here 3 years ago from New York. I've lived in West and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
37 upvotes
Clara G.
bump
36 upvotes
Ruby
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
32 upvotes
native_david96
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
Axel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
23 upvotes
Paisley Martinez
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 Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Declan T.
glad someone said it
15 upvotes
Natalie H.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Indian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
13 upvotes
Camila R.
great question, following
12 upvotes
Matthew Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Jose Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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