Hey folks, I work in government and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $196,200 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
27 upvotes
24 Replies
Matthew T.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Springfield area are solid. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Ella Bailey
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Camila Cooper
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
houstonwalker2023
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
mesanative2022
lol so true
34 upvotes
Valentina
I've lived in Midtown for about 2 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 LA, 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
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Donald R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
born_evelyn31
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Mia Mendoza
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much pricey but now it's tough.
30 upvotes
Julian Phillips
nah I disagree
29 upvotes
Michael Ross
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Avery Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 50, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
24 upvotes
Isabelle Edwards
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Declan T.
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 my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts 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 challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Easton Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from New York about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Nathan A.
this is the way
18 upvotes
Peyton
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Pittsburgh it's better than expected.
14 upvotes
Camila C.
spot on
11 upvotes
Elena Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 10 years. Moved from LA for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Mia M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from LA about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Marie G.
Totally agree!
7 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
local_samuel94
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Logan H.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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