Hey folks, I work in hospitality and The unemployment rate is 0.8%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 10,127 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Worth the trade-offs?
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Kayla P.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Fairview area are challenging. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Madelyn Hill
yeah no that's not right
40 upvotes
indygirl2025
I've lived in Springfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The safety scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Isla Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 54, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
31 upvotes
Connor Reed
This.
27 upvotes
Jean A.
underrated comment
14 upvotes
Emilia Hernandez
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. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Gabriel N.
exactly what I was thinking
10 upvotes
Ryan C.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
9 upvotes
Zoe Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 49, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
9 upvotes
Jaxon Davis
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
Benjamin Ruiz
I've lived in Greenfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Ruby Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 6 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Cheryl M.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Eastside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Axel
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
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