Springfield: Answer to your fixed income economic
-
7/8/2010
I relocated in 2003 to Springfield, Mo from Austin, Texas once I realized I was headed towards a life dependant upon a disability check as my only income. The postings of thers regarding Springfield, Mo are all accurate when they talk about lack of cultural diversity and the major power of fundamentalist Christian churches. My decision to move here was due to foreseeing my current monthly income of $900mo and it was a wise choice in this regard. I pay $335mo mortgage on a small 2 bedroom cottage built in the 1940's and located in a great little neighborhood in South Central Springfield. The city offers great medical facilities, low prices (and low wages), reasonable utility rates and a decent social services network given the areas high concentration of low income families.
Springfield with its population of 155k is a big town with everything you need though possibly lacking much of what you may "want". Fundamentalist Christians are under evey rock and yield a lot of community influence & power but there are also small pockets of progressives to provide scattered pockets of shade under which one can seek refuge. Cultural diversity is sadly missing and racism is alive and well but no longer so rampant as 30-40 years ago.
To avoid only sounding negative one should also know that Springfield is very green, fertile and on the northern edge of The Ozarks Mtns. While the overall education level is quite low, the people are mostly very friendly and community minded. The climate is temperate with mild Summers and cold but only lightly snowy winters. Gasoline remains cheapest in the nation (for those who care) and there are lots of cool, older homes (built 1890 to 1940's) available for purchase at really low prices.
If you have or expect to have a low, fixed income and are fleeing your current expensive hometown in search of a place you can survive... Springfield, MO is worth looking into!
Erich | Springfield, MO