Hello, We have two kids and Rent is about $1,137/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. TIA! There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
34 upvotes
24 Replies
Cooper Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 11 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 challenging. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Parker J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 9 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Cedar Grove schools are hit or miss. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
nyc_jordan
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.
33 upvotes
Aurora W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to San Diego it's decent.
30 upvotes
James T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Sophie Richardson
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Cedar Grove area are underrated. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Roman L.
Saving this thread
25 upvotes
Leah H.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in East area are underrated. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Everett G.
Bought a house here in 2019 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
Logan Ruiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Tampa it's improving.
21 upvotes
Ruby Brooks
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Bennett Hughes
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Angel H.
I work in engineering here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is pretty good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Ryan K.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great sushi places. I love the pace of life here.
19 upvotes
Ezekiel Wilson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (North) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
18 upvotes
Theodore W.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Jacob R.
accurate
13 upvotes
Joshua Miller
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Greenfield 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Vivian Lopez
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Nolan Brooks
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Sharon W.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
elizabeth_lover
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Michael Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 56, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
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