Random thought, Homes are going for about $396,000 on average. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
26 upvotes
27 Replies
Wesley Cook
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Savannah R.
honestly same experience here
33 upvotes
Philip L.
great question, following
33 upvotes
Genesis Rivera
Bought a house here in 2017 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Aubrey Price
seconding this
30 upvotes
Addison Kelly
Used to live on the West side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
30 upvotes
Henry Lopez
I've lived in Westside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Cora Hall
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Ian Nguyen
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Landon Robinson
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
24 upvotes
Owen Jones
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The pet-friendliness is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Axel Johnson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
23 upvotes
Skylar Hall
hmm interesting perspective
23 upvotes
Isaac Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Camila Roberts
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
20 upvotes
Allison Parker
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
Julian Jackson
accurate
18 upvotes
Kayla O.
great question, following
16 upvotes
Wesley Ross
I work in consulting here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Charlotte P.
Moved here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to weather but Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Luke Campbell
Totally agree!
14 upvotes
Thomas Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 4 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
education is strong here. retail 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Emilia B.
This.
12 upvotes
Claire Roberts
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Kathryn S.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The weather is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Ruth T.
Bought a house here in 2022 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
8 upvotes
Aria Alvarez
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 Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Springfield schools are pretty 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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