A LOT to do!! Urban living without the high expens
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6/15/2011
In 2011, I moved to Metro Center, Springfield, Massachusetts for the eclectic, urban arts scene -- I bought a condo, and in my opinion, it has been the best relocation I've ever made.
I moved to Springfield from the college town of Northampton, Massachusetts. Before that, I lived all over the place -- in Oxford, England; Cologne, Germany; Boston; Chicago; San Francisco, Cape Cod, and most recently New Haven, Connecticut. I tend to gravitate toward artistic, bohemian cities, where there's a lot of creative people.
I'm in my late 20s and own my own videography/website development company.
While living in Northampton -- just 15 miles north of Springfield -- I became familiar with Springfield , especially its Metro Center, ( downtown.) By going to coffee shops and music venues, I started to meet a lot of creative people who live in Springfield -- artists, photographers, musicians -- people who, like me, are attracted to eclectic, urban environments. As of 2011, that's what Springfield's Metro Center is.
Personally, reading the older reviews of Springfield -- in my opinion, that information doesn't pass the reality test right now.
That said, in defense of the older reviews, I've learned that a lot of creative people migrated here after gay marriage was legalized here in 2004. At the time, during the real estate boom, Springfield real estate was cheap -- and the architecture is very attractive (Springfield's nicknamed "The City of Homes" for a good reason,) even by New England urban standards. It's walkable. Of course, the bohemians came!!
With the United States' first-ever high-speed train coming to Springfield in 2015, (from Springfield to my old hometown of New Haven,) and cranes all over the city, building the $300 million "The Hospital of the Future" and the $110 million "Springfield Data Center," a $75 million renovation of Union Station for a $75 million, 2012 commuter line to Springfield's northern suburbs, (like Northampton,) among other projects... I'm confident that my condo investment was a sound one. :)
To sum up this review, I believe that Springfield has something for everyone -- especially people who like culture, and definitely now that the city is safe and there's a lot of construction and positive enthusiasm here. I'd recommend Metro Center to anyone who likes artistic, bohemian environments -- photographers, painters, musicians, LGBT, and empty-nesters -- people like me, who are seeking a cheap, cool city.
Bp | Springfield, MA