My family moved here when I was a kid. You can expect to pay around $2,903 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 3,694 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Eliana Green
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
39 upvotes
Matthew Cooper
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The food scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Nicholas M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. 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 mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Xavier Reyes
100%
32 upvotes
Thomas Ross
nah I disagree
27 upvotes
Hudson Kim
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Lucas
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Zoe Rodriguez
this is the way
22 upvotes
Ava Ruiz
good to know, thanks
21 upvotes
Connor Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Riverside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
16 upvotes
Christian J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 31, moved here 10 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
14 upvotes
Daniel Murphy
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 San Diego for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes 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. Limited public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Kinsley M.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Highland area are challenging. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Jonathan Miller
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 8 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are decent. 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
