Poverty rate is 10.5%, which is around average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Any advice would be great. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
50 upvotes
25 Replies
Robert Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Lucas Thomas
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
38 upvotes
Brielle
haha yep pretty much
37 upvotes
Naomi Morales
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Minneapolis it's decent.
36 upvotes
Aria Jones
spot on
36 upvotes
Thomas R.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Sophia Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Xavier Mendoza
Came here for family and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The community vibe is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
leonardo_runner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, 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. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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
Declan Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 45, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
30 upvotes
Jordan Alvarez
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Charlotte Roberts
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Aaliyah W.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The walkability is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Ruby Robinson
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
25 upvotes
Camila Rivera
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The nightlife is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Gabriel Brown
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mediterranean places. the quality of life is solid.
23 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Parker
Moved here from Tampa about 9 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to dating scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Susan C.
Totally agree!
21 upvotes
Skylar H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Jordan Clark
nah I disagree
5 upvotes
Cooper R.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
4 upvotes
Mackenzie H.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
2 upvotes
Mason
I've lived in West for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Eli D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis 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 Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
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