The median home value here is around $417,300, which is pretty steep. Poverty rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 10,860 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
6 upvotes
6 Replies
Hannah Patel
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Springfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
detroit_hunter
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much wild but now it's surprisingly good.
35 upvotes
Melanie
Moved here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to dating scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Joshua R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Xavier C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 43, moved here 10 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Roman
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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