Anyone else feel this way? You can expect to pay around $968 for rent here. Homes are going for about $174,800 on average. Median household income is $57,789, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 22.4%, which is higher than I expected. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
Lydia Ramos
I've lived in Springfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
stl_christian
I work in consulting here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is improving. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Jaxon Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 8 years. Moved from Seattle for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Midtown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
living_valentina55
I work in marketing here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is tough. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Adrian Garcia
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
William James
I work in real estate here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is better than expected. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Riley W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
All Countries
