OK so I'm originally from Minneapolis and The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $233,500 on average. Average temperature is around 59--F, so the weather is moderate. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? Cheers. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
21 upvotes
25 Replies
Ethan Stewart
couldn't agree more
39 upvotes
Caroline Rodriguez
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community vibe is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Isla Phillips
spot on
31 upvotes
Ian Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 10 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails 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 excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Lawrence L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 45, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Lakewood and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
29 upvotes
Doris W.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Sarah Reyes
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Uptown area are excellent. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Declan Alvarez
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Cedar Grove area are decent. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Gary M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Thomas Cooper
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Grayson Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in West and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
18 upvotes
Adrian Torres
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Levi Martin
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- The safety scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Carter Watson
interesting, hadn't considered that
14 upvotes
Carter Sanchez
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
Luke Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 7 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are challenging. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Rylee Garcia
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Autumn Ruiz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Ethan Myers
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
11 upvotes
Gabriella Hall
underrated comment
7 upvotes
Brooklyn Ward
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
6 upvotes
Madeline
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Anna Brooks
seconding this
5 upvotes
Eliana Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
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