Hey everyone, Born and raised here. It's a a small town city with about 14,722 people. You can expect to pay around $2,009 for rent here. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What do you all think? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
ellie_papa
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Gabriel Baker
Bought a house here in 2018 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
37 upvotes
Jameson Ortiz
100%
33 upvotes
Ezekiel Adams
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Denver it's surprisingly good.
31 upvotes
Ruby
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Isaac Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Reagan Morris
Bought a house here in 2023 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
Addison Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 7 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 tough. 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 shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Oliver Evans
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The walkability is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Jeremy P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
omahavibes2022
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Kathryn L.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Maya
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 8 years. Moved from LA for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Oak Park 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. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Aaliyah Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 40, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
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