Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 115K, Manchester is a mid-size city. Homes are going for about $336,300 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Any help is appreciated. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
45 upvotes
4 Replies
Nova S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Mateo T.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Harper Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Danielle R.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
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