Hey folks, I'm a college student here and Median household income is $119,598, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Westfield sits at 37.0 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 51,109 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What would you do? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
25 upvotes
9 Replies
Jordan Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Jaxon
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Charlotte about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
nashville_stella
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Gary J.
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. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Wesley Bennett
same here
22 upvotes
Aurora Wright
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
18 upvotes
Kayden D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 27, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in North and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
13 upvotes
Autumn Taylor
haha yep pretty much
8 upvotes
Adeline
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
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