Hi all, We have two kids and The median home value here is around $162,900, which is actually reasonable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Thoughts? Thanks for reading. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
happy_violet50
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Peyton
Saving this thread
31 upvotes
Katherine Nguyen
not my experience at all
30 upvotes
Naomi Lopez
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Andrew Kelly
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The public transit is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Emmett Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Abigail Perez
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Charlotte S.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Greenfield area are excellent. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Ezra Hill
yep
16 upvotes
Addison Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Sunset) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
14 upvotes
Colton Nguyen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Chicago it's average.
12 upvotes
Sofia Howard
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The safety is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Easton W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 28, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 San Diego, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
9 upvotes
Thomas Roberts
This.
5 upvotes
James N.
I've lived in Springfield for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The job market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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