Hey, Been living here since 2007. Rent is about $1,210/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Let me know your thoughts. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
29 upvotes
7 Replies
Samuel Chavez
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The outdoor recreation scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Roman Reyes
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much developing but now it's solid.
37 upvotes
Landon Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 15 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails 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 pretty good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
andrew_papa
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Emily Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
seattlegirl2020
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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