Hello, I'm a 50-year-old physical therapist and The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 92,662 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Would love some local perspective. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
18 upvotes
11 Replies
Nevaeh Torres
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Reagan Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Nolan Martinez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is improving in most areas.
24 upvotes
Jameson S.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in West area are average. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Axel
following this thread
13 upvotes
Cameron J.
Moved here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to traffic but No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Joseph Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Bella Clark
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
8 upvotes
Maya Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
6 upvotes
Pamela S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 15 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
