Longtime lurker here, Military spouse here. Median household income is $70,166, which feels about average for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Is this normal for Fairfield? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
27 upvotes
15 Replies
Harper Harris
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great craft beer places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
39 upvotes
Asher Rivera
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Emilia Phillips
it depends on the neighborhood
29 upvotes
Samuel Ross
100%
28 upvotes
Connor
Bought a house here in 2018 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
26 upvotes
loving_elijah13
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
25 upvotes
Gianna Gomez
Totally agree!
24 upvotes
andrew_girl
Bought a house here in 2021 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
19 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
lol so true
19 upvotes
Scarlett Williams
I've lived in Springfield for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Ezra Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 37, moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Downtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
12 upvotes
Wyatt Ruiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are pretty good. 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 shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Alexa Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 56, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Downtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 San Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
8 upvotes
Kaylee F.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Samuel Jackson
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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