I relocated for work and Homes are going for about $168,500 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
24 upvotes
18 Replies
Stella Lopez
accurate
39 upvotes
Leo Allen
seconding this
37 upvotes
dallasguy2020
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Springfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
32 upvotes
Harper S.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
happy_katherine94
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Wyatt J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Vivian Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 34, moved here 6 years ago from New York. I've lived in Sunset and Midtown, 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. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
24 upvotes
Edward P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 55, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Midtown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Chicago, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
23 upvotes
Ezra Evans
I work in marketing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
true_joshua86
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 Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Springfield schools are solid. 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 shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Lydia S.
hard disagree but ok
14 upvotes
Lydia Baker
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much manageable but now it's improving.
12 upvotes
Jeremiah N.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mexican places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
9 upvotes
Leonardo Bailey
haha yep pretty much
9 upvotes
Olivia Anderson
This.
8 upvotes
Levi Bennett
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Alexander T.
I'm a accountant and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Emily
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
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