OK so Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Is this normal for Madison? The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
20 upvotes
7 Replies
Bradley B.
I've lived in Springfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Aiden M.
Bought a house here in 2019 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
18 upvotes
Logan Cooper
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
austin_lily
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Hunter
this is the way
6 upvotes
indywalker2020
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is decent in most areas.
5 upvotes
Cora
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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