Mediocrity in Middle America - 10/26/2023

I've lived here for over 40 years. Springfield is a decent place to raise a family. Solid midwestern values, and I've always felt safe. Opportunities exist, but there is little about the city that is actually better than mediocre. Washington Park and the surrounding area is nice. The lake is nice. There are a couple decent neighborhoods, but for the most part the entire city is some version of mediocre to lousy. Housing costs are low, but property taxes are insanely high. The schools vary widely, and few are what you would consider to be excellent. There are decent restaurants and some arts, and the local high schools have decent sports, but for the most part, you have to leave town for anything truly interesting.

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Hometown feel with city amenities - 7/5/2023

I moved (back) to Springfield after living in various cities and towns around the country - as large as Milwaukee, as small as Baker, NV - and can say without reservation that Springfield is a fine community. I find that every big town

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needs better dentists - 1/20/2021

whole town smells like dirty ***** and meth

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We love Springfield - 5/31/2019

Our family has lived here for 12 years after living in major metro areas like Chicago, Philadelphia and Orange County, CA for work. As a mid-sized town (pop 112,000 in 2018) Springfield may not have every big-city amenity, but it is lovely, affordable and a wonderful place to raise a family. Commute times rarely exceed 20 minutes, and the people count the be nicer. It has a “farmy” feel at times because it is surrounded by smaller towns in every direction. The biggest employers are a booming healthcare industry, the State of IL and several large school districts.

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thank you for rating - 4/21/2013

thank you for putting down what Springfield is like it sounds horrible.

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over run with crime, drugs, gangs, and poverty - 8/13/2011

The Lincoln connection and historical sites are wonderful but what could have been a very nice town was poorly managed and almost no preventive measures taken to keep Chicago influence out. The crime rate is ridiculous and drugs are everywhere. Gangs from Chicago use this town as a connection point, recruiting ground, and hide away when things get hot in Chicago which all makes for easy influence on Springfield youth. Add in poverty, a abysmal education system, and confusing city/county jurisdiction lines and you got all that is needed for a city that has higher violent crime rate than Chicago, New Orleans, or NYC. There is also very little to do there and with all the poverty and gang influence many parts of town look exceptionally trashy.

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Schools not Challenging - 10/1/2010

Moved to this area about four years ago from Louisville,KY. I was a freshman in high school, I have to say the schools are not that great and seem very segregated, I applied for a transfer 3 times to SHS and got denied all three time despite my good grades. I ended up dropping out my Sophomore year and being home schooled by an accredited high school. If you are looking for a challenge and high expectations, you won't find it in these schools. The nieghborhood ( east South Grand ave.) I live in is not the best, but if you mind your own business you will be fine.

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teacher to student ratio - 5/26/2010

your page for springfield said that the teacher to student ratio was 1 to 15. where did you get that info?? i have 2 kids that go to school here (5th grade and 10th) thaer are at least 25 kids in each of there classes and sometimes more. you need to check your facts first

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Cost of Living - 2/21/2010

The best thing about Springfield, is its low cost of living. Unfortunately, it is not a very interesting place to live.

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My thoughts - 1/23/2010

I have lived in a rural area of Springfield my whole life, being 49 yrs old. A very political city, which means alot of BS. White collar mostly. I am from the blue collared industry. People are sincerely happy to help you kind. The surrounding towns are very clique's, as far as Schools go. We do have exceptionally good Schools and city colleges. Not a whole lot to do here. Hardly a night life. I feel safe, as far as crime goes. We have our fair share of crime, and drugs. We are situated between Chicago, Il. and St. Louis Mo. All in all it's alright, abit boring

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curious - 8/18/2009

how safe is the city?

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Nice town, but the crime rate... - 8/13/2009

Seems fairly ridiculous for a city this size. Granted it's a Capitol city, but it seems as though there is twice the amount of crime here. It's disheartening, really. It could be such a remarkable place... but it seems like the city is depressed to some extent. Like it doesn't WANT to get past the issues it has. Just my two cents.

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Good family town - 7/29/2009

Quality of life is high for a comparatively low cost of living. Great place to raise a family.

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the field - 5/28/2009

well if you like wide open spaces this would be a great place to start its quite, nice for setteling down with a family, if your trying to get ahead in the world the job opprotunities are that great, but it is quite cozy! not to mention its pretty cheap to live here in all aspects

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Springfield, IL - 12/22/2008

My wife and I lived in Springfielf, IL for seven years and had a positive experience. We lived between Springfield and Chatham. Springfield is a big little town. Government is the driver not business. - RFHale

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Changing for the better - 10/7/2008

Springfield has made some smart moves in the last few years with the new Lincoln sights and now working on better roads in and around town.

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Not a good place to move to, but OK place to raise - 9/25/2008

Springfield is an odd town, and the residents (not all, that would be unfair) are by far the ones who grew up here. I know people in their 50s who have left the state only twice and can't fathom reasons to ever leave the county, as if they have rubber bands on their backs. They are not welcoming. You are judged by which H.S. you went to, and if you aren't from here, then you might as well be invisible. Technology isn't welcomed by the majority. If shopping is important to you, you'll do a lot of traveling to get to shopping stores. There's a t-shirt in town that has a face pic of Abe Lincoln and beneath it are the words: "You'd have to shoot me to get me to go back to Springfield." The county didn't vote for him in his presidential elections, but they like him now that he is famous.

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Lived here all my life - 7/19/2008

I have lived here since I was 3 years old. The cost of living is fairly high here and really not much to do here as far as recreation. Unless you are employed by the state, or in the retail/restaurant industry there isn't much employment here either.

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Springfield is a nice place to live - 4/13/2008

First off, Springfield is becoming a thriving urban community, has a stable positive economy, and is growing steadly. The business district in Springfield is the largest and fastest growing in Central Illinois, with people commuting from Decatur and even Bloomington. The downfall about Springfield is the higher than average crime rate, and the violence in the inner Springfield schools. But on a positive note, Springfield has some of the best private schools in the state. All in all, I give Springfield an 8 out of 10.

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Springfield - Pros/Cons - 2/9/2008

Pros: 1. Low cost of living and housing 2. Affordable place to live 3. Good school system 4. Visiting the State Capitol Cons: 1. Very high crime rate 2. Huge problem with gangs and drugs 3. Lots of illegal trash dumping and vandalism 4. Nothing to do 5. The city government is corrupt 6. The "good" areas of town have suddenly gone bad

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