Been living here since 2018. The median home value here is around $583,700, which is pretty steep. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Would love some local perspective. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
8 upvotes
17 Replies
Kai Cook
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
40 upvotes
Caroline Brooks
facts
35 upvotes
Isabelle Ramirez
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Luca Cooper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Benjamin
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Amelia Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Houston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
aaliyah_local
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Madeline Miller
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Chloe Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Paisley Evans
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 Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Hudson Campbell
lol so true
16 upvotes
Addison Rodriguez
I've lived in East for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Avery Reyes
couldn't agree more
9 upvotes
Vivian Phillips
big facts right here
8 upvotes
Lydia Young
bump
6 upvotes
Leonardo Patel
this is the way
2 upvotes
Daniel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is average in most areas.
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