First post here. I'm a college student here and Poverty rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
11 Replies
Jacob S.
I've lived in Springfield 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 Tampa, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The food scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Ian S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting 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 Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Colton T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 4 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government 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 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. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Nicholas G.
This.
21 upvotes
Brooklyn
lol so true
17 upvotes
Chloe Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Zoey Wright
I've lived in North for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. 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:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Eva Patel
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Nora Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (East) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
10 upvotes
Stephen S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
3 upvotes
Ryan Scott
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.