Not sure if this has been asked before, but Been living here since 2009. Homes are going for about $142,900 on average. Rent is about $744/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 4,967 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I overthinking this? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
6 upvotes
12 Replies
Isla Cook
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much competitive but now it's hit or miss.
31 upvotes
Carson Morris
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Naomi K.
yep
28 upvotes
Ellie C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Logan C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Ruth N.
I've lived in Springfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The pet-friendliness scene is tough
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Luca Howard
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. South schools are decent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Eric G.
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
20 upvotes
Karen K.
Saving this thread
19 upvotes
Ezekiel H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Aaron Walker
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
4 upvotes
Everly Miller
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
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