Anyone else feel this way? Am I overthinking this? Any help is appreciated. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
42 upvotes
20 Replies
Maya R.
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 Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Springfield schools are decent. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Carter Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 39, moved here 9 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Riverside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Miami, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
jordan_local
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Isabelle
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Alexa A.
Moved here from Houston about 5 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cost of living but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
lalife2023
+1
31 upvotes
Melanie Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 3 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Lakewood and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
31 upvotes
Nova Turner
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Gianna Howard
This.
30 upvotes
Brooklyn Long
been saying this for years
28 upvotes
Asher R.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
24 upvotes
Gabriella M.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great sushi places. it exceeded my expectations.
22 upvotes
Henry Gray
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Austin Gonzalez
good to know, thanks
13 upvotes
Kaylee Myers
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Leah Mitchell
this is the way
10 upvotes
Madelyn Edwards
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Oak Park area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Luca Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Daniel Ortiz
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
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