Been meaning to ask this. With a population of 28,833, Greenville is a smaller city. It's a a smaller city city with about 28,833 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Greenville sits at 294.7 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
22 upvotes
14 Replies
Maya Lewis
honestly same experience here
39 upvotes
Silas
yeah no that's not right
29 upvotes
Willie M.
seconding this
28 upvotes
Nathan Baker
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
21 upvotes
Piper B.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
21 upvotes
Hudson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 7 years. Moved from Miami for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Theodore Lewis
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great craft beer places. it's been a really good experience overall.
18 upvotes
Julia
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's pretty good.
17 upvotes
Everett Peterson
I'm a chef and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Zoe H.
Bought a house here in 2018 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Carter Carter
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Evan Robinson
couldn't agree more
1 upvotes
Lucy R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
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 reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Grayson M.
I've lived in Old Town for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
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