Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and The median home value here is around $116,900, which is actually reasonable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
lillian_walker
Bought a house here in 2021 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
39 upvotes
Noah
I'm a project manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Adam Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Landon Ward
I work in engineering here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is better than expected. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Peyton Ramos
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Harper Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from LA about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Alexander Anderson
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Sadie
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Hailey Murphy
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 Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests 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 tough. 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. Dating scene is rough. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Justin S.
Moved here from Seattle about 15 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Christian Morales
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Sarah Morgan
nah I disagree
3 upvotes
Aubrey Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami 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 Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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