Hey folks, Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $411,500 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 88,224 people. With a population of 88,224, Santa Fe is a smaller city. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Would love some local perspective. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Caleb Roberts
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Sophie Walker
This.
35 upvotes
Anna Myers
good to know, thanks
34 upvotes
Zoey Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 45, moved here 3 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Downtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
34 upvotes
Brooklyn Robinson
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
34 upvotes
Gloria M.
yeah no that's not right
31 upvotes
Isla Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
Levi Adams
interesting, hadn't considered that
24 upvotes
Hannah P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is average in most areas.
18 upvotes
Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 13 years. Moved from Houston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains 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 hit or miss. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Luna Wilson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Angel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
4 upvotes
Aubrey Ruiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 14 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Downtown schools are excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Alexander Evans
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
All Countries
