OK so Homes are going for about $136,200 on average. Poverty rate is 7.6%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
3 upvotes
23 Replies
Stella Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Aubrey Hughes
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Italian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
40 upvotes
kc_axel
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
39 upvotes
Waylon D.
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Nova Johnson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Charlotte Hernandez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
32 upvotes
Xavier Mendoza
as a local I can confirm
32 upvotes
Isaac Clark
I'm a electrician and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
David Morgan
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
27 upvotes
Roman M.
I work in marketing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is pretty good. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Amelia W.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Emmett L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Mackenzie Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Samuel
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Wesley Gray
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
David Cox
Came here for family and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The food scene is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Madelyn Ramos
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
lucas_girl
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails 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 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 high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Reagan Thomas
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Thai places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
6 upvotes
Mia Castillo
great question, following
4 upvotes
Megan H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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