Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. Household incomes average around $67,211 in Springfield. Homes are going for about $323,800 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Springfield sits at 299.5 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
26 upvotes
24 Replies
Elijah R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Abigail Lee
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Reagan Johnson
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
Quinn Carter
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Jonathan Jimenez
Moved here from Portland about 2 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Julian
thanks for sharing
30 upvotes
Ezekiel Sanders
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Thomas Brown
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much growing but now it's challenging.
27 upvotes
Sarah Sanchez
interesting, hadn't considered that
24 upvotes
Mason Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Jaxon Lopez
I'm a social worker and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Dylan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Josiah Bailey
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Roman
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
17 upvotes
Samuel R.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The nightlife is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Levi S.
yep
7 upvotes
Christian King
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Aubrey Peterson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Timothy C.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Alexa G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for family. 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 about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. North 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. Rising rent and home prices. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Luna Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
4 upvotes
Landon Kelly
I've lived in Sunset for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
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