Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. You can expect to pay around $905 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I wrong here? Thanks in advance! Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Madeline
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Zachary S.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Pine Hills area are solid. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Aiden M.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Isla C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
tucson_sofia
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
23 upvotes
Emilia J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Sara O.
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 Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes 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 better than expected. 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 entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic 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.
18 upvotes
Melanie Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 49, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 Austin, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
14 upvotes
Piper Murphy
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
13 upvotes
Emmett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 35, moved here 2 years ago from Portland. I've lived in The Heights and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
12 upvotes
Elena Rogers
bump
10 upvotes
Luna H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Thomas C.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
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