Been meaning to ask this. I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a small town city with about 11,064 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I wrong here?
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Alexa Smith
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
39 upvotes
lake_kai91
The food scene here is average. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
35 upvotes
Eliana Hernandez
accurate
35 upvotes
Hailey Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Colton Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Kennedy W.
+1
29 upvotes
Grace Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Eastside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
25 upvotes
Vivian Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 51, moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Fairview and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
25 upvotes
Alexa Rodriguez
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The public transit is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Sebastian Rodriguez
Came here for retirement and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The cost of living is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Silas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Peyton Ward
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Roger B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 1 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts 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 excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Hannah Garcia
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
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