Curious what people think. I work in hospitality and Crime rate is something to consider -Iola sits at 436.9 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Has anyone dealt with this?
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Camila Morris
it depends on the neighborhood
38 upvotes
Roman Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 11 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Eastside schools are improving. 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. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Dylan Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Reagan B.
accurate
33 upvotes
aaron_living
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Caleb J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is average in most areas.
26 upvotes
David
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Adrian C.
+1
20 upvotes
Hunter Reed
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much established but now it's better than expected.
15 upvotes
Ruby Foster
I'm a software engineer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
atl_adeline
preach
12 upvotes
living_weston61
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from Austin for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have hiking 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Asher R.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The traffic is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Jace Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 28, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. underrated 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
6 upvotes
Luca King
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is tough in most areas.
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