Random thought, Military spouse here. Median household income is $98,686, which feels pretty solid for the area. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
50 upvotes
11 Replies
Marilyn H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 14 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests 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 underrated. 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Emily G.
Came here for school and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Quinn Cox
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
Robert R.
I work in tech here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is improving. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Adrian Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Paisley Murphy
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
24 upvotes
Jameson Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Jaxon Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Miami 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 Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Jordan Green
great question, following
7 upvotes
Gabriel Flores
following this thread
4 upvotes
Megan M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Phoenix it's challenging.
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