Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $89,724, which feels pretty solid for the area. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
28 upvotes
15 Replies
Luke
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
sunny_isabelle76
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Robert Watson
as a local I can confirm
31 upvotes
Cooper Scott
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The weather is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Ava N.
+1
20 upvotes
sunny_lucas44
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in The Heights area are improving. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Aaron Stewart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 6 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Zoe Alvarez
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The outdoor recreation scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Miles Jackson
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Raymond C.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
15 upvotes
Serenity R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (The Heights) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
13 upvotes
Isabella Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
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