Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
2 upvotes
10 Replies
Silas Cox
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
36 upvotes
Sarah
I've lived in Downtown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Baltimore, 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 outdoor recreation scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Aria Taylor
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Isabella Rodriguez
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Sunset area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Angel H.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Aria
Saving this thread
22 upvotes
Bella Wilson
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 Phoenix for weather. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. education 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts 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 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, 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.
10 upvotes
Isabella Collins
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Owen Rodriguez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..