Hey, I've been here for 2 years and The median home value here is around $1,180,000, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $1,180,000 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
3 upvotes
13 Replies
Isabelle
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
38 upvotes
Bella
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Douglas M.
Moved here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to nightlife but Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Mackenzie Kim
accurate
30 upvotes
Savannah Brooks
interesting, hadn't considered that
27 upvotes
Maverick H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 25, moved here 11 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Chicago, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
26 upvotes
Olivia B.
hard disagree but ok
22 upvotes
Easton Ruiz
I've lived in Springfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Lucy Jones
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Fairview area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Samuel Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Andrew Hughes
wish I knew this sooner
8 upvotes
Harper Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 33, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Greenfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
2 upvotes
Silas Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Houston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
