I work in education and The median home value here is around $1,005,400, which is pretty steep. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Anna Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 38, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
27 upvotes
Benjamin Anderson
same here
25 upvotes
michael_walker
spot on
24 upvotes
Eliana G.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in East area are decent. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Harper Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Anna H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Wyatt G.
I've lived in Springfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Virginia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in West and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
16 upvotes
Cooper Price
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
13 upvotes
Caleb C.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Mackenzie James
I'm a contractor and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Kennedy Kelly
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Downtown area are solid. Kids love it here.