Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $3,501 for rent here. Median household income is $175,307, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Any advice would be great. Appreciate any input. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
21 upvotes
7 Replies
madelyn_fan
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much manageable but now it's average.
39 upvotes
vegas_aurora
+1
34 upvotes
kc_ella
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. engineering 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking 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 better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Hannah Lee
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
austinchef2021
Bought a house here in 2024 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
8 upvotes
Isaac Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 3 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Wayne P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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