I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a small town city with about 11,503 people. Crime rate is something to consider -La Riviera sits at 614.8 per 100K. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to.
14 upvotes
10 Replies
Genesis
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Korean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
36 upvotes
Roman Nguyen
same here
35 upvotes
Vivian Phillips
this is the way
24 upvotes
Aaliyah Jimenez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Fairview) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
23 upvotes
austindude2024
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Pine Hills area are improving. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Liam
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 9 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Frances G.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
14 upvotes
Roman Kelly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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