Alright, I work in manufacturing and With a population of 1,362, Onarga is a small town. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Anyone in a similar situation? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Silas Adams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 6 years. Moved from Baltimore for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Springfield schools are hit or miss. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Ian Miller
Bought a house here in 2024 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
37 upvotes
Josiah Diaz
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The cost of living is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Delilah R.
I work in hospitality here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is challenging. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Henry Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Chicago about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Luke Lopez
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Emilia P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Old Town schools are pretty 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
dominic_fan
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it was the best decision I ever made.
10 upvotes
John Turner
Bought a house here in 2023 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Alice H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Clara White
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
miamiheart2026
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is tough in most areas.
3 upvotes
Jonathan K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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