Hey folks, I'm a teacher here and Homes are going for about $137,400 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,120 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Would love some local perspective.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Nolan A.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Kaylee Gray
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
34 upvotes
Easton Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Christina P.
it depends on the neighborhood
18 upvotes
Mason T.
+1
15 upvotes
Adeline Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Lakewood and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Atlanta, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
13 upvotes
Violet Walker
same here
13 upvotes
Violet N.
underrated comment
13 upvotes
Savannah K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 13 years. Moved from LA for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
tech is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks 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 hit or miss. 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 high-paying job options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Abigail Anderson
I work in legal here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is better than expected. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Serenity Moore
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community vibe is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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