Anyone else feel this way? With a population of 58,410, Springfield is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $107,600 on average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Let me know your thoughts. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
15 upvotes
23 Replies
Kai Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Old Town) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
39 upvotes
Serenity B.
been saying this for years
38 upvotes
Nolan H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Jaxon Garcia
preach
31 upvotes
Ruby Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Matthew Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 58, moved here 3 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Maple Ridge 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. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. pretty good 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 Miami, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Liam P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Nashville it's underrated.
28 upvotes
Madeline Myers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
eleanor_native
I've lived in The Heights for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Liam Miller
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
23 upvotes
Zoe Flores
I've lived in Highland for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Madelyn D.
it depends on the neighborhood
21 upvotes
Emmett Robinson
as a local I can confirm
21 upvotes
Julia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Autumn
wish I knew this sooner
18 upvotes
Timothy A.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Theodore Jackson
I've lived in Sunset for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
sdmind2024
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much stable but now it's better than expected.
18 upvotes
Maverick Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 3 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
sacramento_levi
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 43, moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Atlanta, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
13 upvotes
Kathleen E.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The cultural scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Mia R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Can feel isolated. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Ezekiel Wilson
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
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