Hey, I'm a 40-year-old mechanic and Homes are going for about $337,800 on average. Median household income is $48,416, which feels on the lower side for the area. It's a a mid-size city city with about 307K people. You can expect to pay around $1,330 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Should I be concerned? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to.
13 upvotes
7 Replies
Doris R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
columbuswalker2023
interesting, hadn't considered that
36 upvotes
Nora Green
I've lived in Springfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Eliana Torres
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Emma Turner
interesting, hadn't considered that
15 upvotes
Brooks Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 58, moved here 14 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
12 upvotes
Ryan
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Asian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
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