All Countries
Kaylee Hall
living
Is North Branch a good place to live?
Random thought, The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Thoughts? The weather takes some getting used to.
11 upvotes
6 Replies
Elizabeth A.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Ruby Wood
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Arthur W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
21 upvotes
Genesis J.
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 Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes 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 surprisingly good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Springfield for 14 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes 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 surprisingly good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Sarah G.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
5 upvotes
Theodore Ross
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes