Hey folks, I relocated for work and The unemployment rate is 7.8%, which is concerning. Median household income is $38,947, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $99,000 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What are your go-to spots? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
9 upvotes
15 Replies
Miles
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. 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 kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Nova Scott
I'm a social worker and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Ellie Hughes
great question, following
33 upvotes
Xavier Wood
interesting, hadn't considered that
28 upvotes
Serenity Watson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
David Morgan
I've lived in South for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Victoria P.
I'm a accountant and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Kaylee Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Brielle S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Greyson
nah I disagree
15 upvotes
Jacob Baker
I'm a project manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Amy G.
I've lived in Springfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Robert C.
Saving this thread
7 upvotes
portland_julian
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
7 upvotes
Grayson Morris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
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