Been meaning to ask this. Poverty rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Audrey Hall
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
40 upvotes
Richard S.
This.
37 upvotes
Sara M.
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
lake_olivia41
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor recreation is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Peyton Reyes
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Katherine Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland 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 West. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Zoey Reyes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Lillian Walker
I've lived in Greenfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
austin_delilah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. average 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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
Miles Gutierrez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
owen_mind
I work in engineering here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Jayden Reed
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Colton Young
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in South area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
James M.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Logan Campbell
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 Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests 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 tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.