I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $419,600, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $419,600 on average. Poverty rate is 15.9%, which is higher than I expected. Rent is about $1,515/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Does this match your experience? Cheers. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
23 upvotes
7 Replies
Weston Gonzalez
as a local I can confirm
38 upvotes
Jonathan L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Portland 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 Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Donna G.
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Brooklyn Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Melissa D.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is underrated in most areas.
21 upvotes
cool_daniel95
I work in government here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is tough. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Brooklyn Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
