Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $73,052 in Vermilion. The median home value here is around $172,000, which is actually reasonable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Worth the trade-offs? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Kathryn P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Lydia W.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Leo Hall
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Raymond C.
I've lived in Springfield for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The community vibe scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Isla Davis
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Joshua Baker
it depends on the neighborhood
29 upvotes
Piper Taylor
nah I disagree
27 upvotes
Jace Mendoza
I work in marketing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Jayden Evans
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
born_sophie77
facts
7 upvotes
Emilia E.
it depends on the neighborhood
6 upvotes
Logan Nguyen
yeah no that's not right
4 upvotes
Abigail
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much affordable but now it's improving.
2 upvotes
Addison S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
2 upvotes
Ryan S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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