Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -Southfield sits at 272.7 per 100K. With a population of 76,025, Southfield is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $226,900 on average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
24 upvotes
24 Replies
Alexander
Came here for work and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The community vibe is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Betty Y.
noted, appreciate it
37 upvotes
Mia J.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Cora Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. finance 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests 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 shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Valentina Torres
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Denise T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is underrated in most areas.
29 upvotes
Ethan Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Claire Sanchez
it depends on the neighborhood
26 upvotes
Michael P.
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Ava Lewis
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Katherine Cox
accurate
23 upvotes
Aaliyah Turner
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Josiah Young
couldn't agree more
18 upvotes
Lily Hall
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Austin W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Audrey Ramirez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Wesley W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Roman Richardson
I work in retail here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Caleb Taylor
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Lily Edwards
thanks for sharing
7 upvotes
Axel Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Fairview, 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. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
5 upvotes
Ian T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Caleb
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Cedar Grove area are average. Kids love it here.
0 upvotes
James Nguyen
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The walkability is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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