We have two kids and The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. The median home value here is around $374,200, which seems about average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
60 upvotes
12 Replies
Brooks Green
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Isabelle Myers
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
Katherine Taylor
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Denver it's average.
38 upvotes
Audrey Brooks
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Isaiah Ortiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
ariana_native
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Jeremiah L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Nicholas James
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Lydia Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
13 upvotes
kc_camila
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Anna Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 5 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Wesley Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 10 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.