First post here. Homes are going for about $314,000 on average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What do you all think?
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Emilia Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 3 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
40 upvotes
Emma Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Kayden Wright
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
31 upvotes
Jordan Roberts
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is excellent in most areas.
29 upvotes
Bennett Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
29 upvotes
Bennett Thompson
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 New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Ella Phillips
Bought a house here in 2024 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
Jordan Thomas
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Grayson
big facts right here
10 upvotes
Everly Jackson
preach
7 upvotes
Gianna Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Isabelle Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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