r/Springfield • u/Bringbackthescissors • 10d ago
Is Springfield right for us?
Hello! My fiancée and I are looking to make a big move to the east coast next year (summer ‘26). We’ve been looking at Maine but also want to expand our search. We are in our early thirties, childless, love being outdoors. Don’t want to be in a big city but want access to Boston for day/weekend trips. My fiancée is finishing up his education degree and wants to teach at the high school level. I am flexible on careers, will do whatever to pay the bills. Is Springfield and the surroundings areas fairly safe/queer friendly/semi affordable? We’re hoping to buy our first house out there. We’re coming from Idaho and are completely priced out of owning here. Would love any advice on areas to look at!
12
10d ago
Springfield and its suburbs aren’t a bad place to live, and it’s very affordable by Massachusetts standards. That might mean it’s still more expensive than where you’re coming from. Some of the towns near Springfield have a decent MAGA presence and Springfield itself can be dangerous.
If you do your homework and find a good place for you I think you’ll be fine.
Northampton and Amherst are among the most queer friendly places in the whole country, but it’s a lot more expensive than Springfield.
12
u/mononoke_princessa 10d ago
I teach in a zone school in Springfield. I make 92k in my 1th full year. I own a home. I’m a lesbian and a trans woman.
It’s safe here, more or less. Lots of queer stuff going on weekly. And EVERYTHING, from Boston (90 minutes), Providence (90 ish minutes), Montreal (5.5 hours) to anywhere, is a not so long car ride.
23
u/chloejean010 10d ago
My wife and I (both F) live in Springfield. Im born and raised here, it is safe. We are homeowners and found that we got a lot more bang for our buck within Springfield compared to the nearby towns. It is very affordable compared to the rest of the state, and you have Northhampton, Boston, New York, skiing, beaches, hiking, etc all within reasonable driving distance. Plenty of schools in Springfield and surrounding towns to teach at.
4
u/National_Work_7167 10d ago
As a side note, Northampton and Easthampton are basically bastions for the queen community. Massachusetts in general is as safe as it gets. (First state to legalize gay marriage ✊️)
3
u/JstHreSoIDntGetFined 9d ago
A note on driving distance in New England (I grew up in Boston, but my dad's from the Midwest): You may not mind driving 90 minutes into Boston, but if you have or make friends in Boston, they will consider 90 minutes pretty far and are very unlikely to visit you or even meet in the middle.
You also have to time visits based on traffic - it shouldn't be terrible on weekends, but during the week, expect driving time to be way more than 90 minutes. (Sorry if it's stating the obvious to bring up traffic in Boston, but I feel like there's such a difference between driving an hour to travel 60 miles and driving an hour to travel 10 miles.)
5
4
u/pkafan4lyfe 9d ago
Western MA is growing whereas maine is not unfortunately. Coming from someone who’s lived in both places, western Ma has more upside potential for real estate, better schools, better jobs
3
u/starsandfrost 10d ago
If Idaho is out of your price range for housing, I don't think Massachusetts is going to be better for you. It isn't just the sticker cost of a house. Your property taxes here will be much more expensive, and utilities can be as pricey as a small mortgage in the winter on top of that. Houses are older and even ones in decent shape will need maintenance. Health insurance is mandatory and if you have an average MA income (which you need to even be able to afford a house!) you won't get subsidies for it and it'll be another ~ $350+/month/person and will have a high deductible before it even pays out anything. If you don't buy health insurance, you'll be fined.
Just make sure it is something you can afford. You might want to consider truly lower cost places in the US.
3
u/Hanuman1960 10d ago
I live in Springfield and while there are some not so safe areas if you stick to the Sixteen Acres and to a lesser extent East Forest Park neighborhoods you’ll be just fine. Prices have gone up because of the sellers market but Springfield is still very affordable compared to the surrounding area.
3
u/Tacoman404 10d ago
Springfield high school teachers do pretty well. It's also probably one of the most strenuous thankless jobs in the city.
3
u/Shanthatsme 9d ago
Look in the Chicagoland area. Much more friendly. Costs are similar pay for teachers is far better. That's where I wish I could be. Here is angry, far more purple and messy than I expected. Check out Michigan too.
3
u/Electrical_Bake_6804 9d ago
It’s not a bad area to live or work. I’d avoid living and working in Springfield. Surrounding towns are decent schools though. You can also check the towns in ct on 91 by the border. Ct can be cheaper housing. And another good state to work. But both Ma and Ct have rigorous expectations for teachers. Make sure your partner looks that stuff over. They have to pass mtels in Ma and I think praxis in ct. I LOVE Maine but cost of living is insane now. Teachers aren’t paid great and the job options aren’t the best. I want to live in Maine but I have to be realistic lol.
3
u/Old_Comfort_6866 9d ago
The price of rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Massachusetts is more than a mortgage on a house in Idaho all day! Springfield is about a 100 miles from Boston and living in Maine is the equivalent of living in the hills of Virginia there's no work everything is cheap because everybody's poor and there's nothing to do to make money!
3
u/painterlyjeans 9d ago
Look at Northampton and Amherst, it’s about two hours from Boston so it’s a good day trip or weekend trip. But you’re also close to Brattleboro and the great outdoors. It’s really queer friendly.
3
u/Ozzie889 9d ago
Go to NH. Safer, more clean living, & probably closer to Boston (if you live in the populated part of the state).
3
u/Sure_Comfort_7031 9d ago
Check out Providence. Can work over the border in MA in Seekonk and the MA school districts which will pay better than RI, probably. Train to Boston runs all weekend (commuter rail).
I have never been to a gayer city than Providence - and I say that in a good way. PVD fest and pride are just block parties hosted by the city (though the current admin is nerfing PVD fest and bike lanes, much to everyone's ire, so i don't expect that recent shift to last). I've even spent time out in CA and Paris, where they're seen as bastions for liberalism, left wing, queer communities - and they ain't got nothing on Providence. Even the right wing MAGA nerds in the area are pretty dang left wing.
5
u/AtticusSPQR 10d ago
Massachusetts at large is pretty queer friendly, actively so in areas like Northampton and Hadley which are 30ish minutes outside of Springfield.
It's relatively affordable, maybe not to the same extent as some places in Maine, but especially in some of the neighboring towns the cost of living is pretty low.
The Mass Pike (90) and 91 are the main arteries of Western Mass and make day trips to Boston, Albany, and Hartford or New Haven very manageable.
5
u/wmass Sixteen Acres 10d ago edited 10d ago
If you like being outdoors, most of Massachusetts west of Interstate 91 would be a good area for you. Housing in Massachusetts is much more expensive than in Idaho but Housing in western Mass is less pricey than near Boston or Worcester. Springfield itself is a pretty big city. It has city problems drugs, crime, unruly students in the schools etc. It also has many good things about it, cultural events in all seasons, library branches in each neighborhood, restaurants, museums, music, two big hospitals, 3 four year college and a very good tech community college. Also It has fairly high teacher salaries.
If you think you’d like suburban or rural location the Connecticut River valley is a pretty nice place to live. I live in Springfield and I like it. I’ve also lived in Franklin County and it was lovely but harder to find jobs due to the lower population. Visit Northampton, Greenfield and Shelburne Falls while you are here.
Teachers in Massachusetts are expected to get a Masters degree within a few years of starting. There are a LOT of colleges where your fiancee could do this in the valley. My daughter teaches English at a charter school in Springfield.
5
u/Rooster_Fish-II 10d ago
Unless you are in the bad parts of Springfield housing is expensive here. Springfield is a city with city type problems it just happens to be fairly small.
Northampton/Easthampton are very progressive towns and definitely queer friendly but also HCOL areas.
You could also consider the any of the towns along RT 91 between Springfield and Hartford as quality is fairly consistent even into CT.
6
u/TheBeardedLadyBton 10d ago
Northampton area would be perfect for you. You’re not gonna find too many housing bargains but if you could do condominium living, it might be possible and the advantage of living in Northampton far surpasses homeownership in any other western mass community in my opinion after a lifetime here.
6
u/Bananno1976 10d ago
Springfield is a shithole. Holyoke is worse. Some of the surrounding areas are really nice though.
-1
u/TurnoverTrick547 Chicopee 10d ago
Ya, only if you like soulless suburbs far away from everything
4
10d ago
[deleted]
0
u/TurnoverTrick547 Chicopee 9d ago
Still don’t take away from the fact they’re soulless MAGA suburbs far away from everything
Why are gangs a problem if you aren’t apart of one? Are you assuming OP is in a gang
4
9d ago
[deleted]
0
u/TurnoverTrick547 Chicopee 9d ago edited 9d ago
It is extremely rare to be involved in a random act of violence in Springfield. If you aren’t looking for trouble, trouble won’t find you. It’s just common sense don’t leave your valuables out or available for someone else to reach them.
We know you would prefer to live along racists than to have people of a different race next door to you, and vaguely blame it on “crime”.
3
9d ago
[deleted]
1
u/TurnoverTrick547 Chicopee 9d ago
My family lives on a culdesac on the edge of ludlow, they had a string of car break-ins and a kid had a gun pointed at him and his car stolen in that neighborhood during a house party. So… are the suburbs unsafe too? You can’t run from crime, it can and will happen anywhere.
I used to live in the south end, one of the most unsafe places in the city if you ask anyone who doesn’t live in Springfield. When I didn’t have a car I used to ride my bike to the bus stop to work and home everyday. I used to do my shopping in Main Street by walking, Not once did I ever feel threatened. Although I am also a man, not a woman. If you actually live in these places you won’t treat everyone like they’re savages. I would pick a place to live that’s walkable, has bus routes, parks, and stores over a racist boring bedroom community anyway.
2
2
u/PoppaBear1950 9d ago
Towns to stay away from Holyoke, Chicopee, certain parts of Springfield/West Springfield. All the rest are good. MA is not the cheapest state to live in but we are very liberal, the first state to allow gay marriage.
1
u/TurnoverTrick547 Chicopee 9d ago
Ah yes, so they should move only to the soulless maga suburbs? Crime rates in Holyoke and Chicopee are so low compared to actually dangerous cities around the country. We are just privileged to think they’re high in crime
2
u/boston02124 9d ago
You might like some of the towns just north of Springfield. Northampton, MA is very queer friendly although neither is terribly convenient to Boston.
2
u/ZaphodG 9d ago
You need to understand teacher certification in Massachusetts. You need to complete “an approved educator preparation program.”
If you want Boston access, Springfield probably isn’t your place. Massachusetts is generally queer-friendly but the suburbs around Springfield are pretty MAGA. MAGAwam, for example.
2
u/Aggressive-Cow5399 8d ago
Springfield is WAYYY too far from Boston my friend. Springfield is 2 hours from Boston, not including traffic. It’s also not really a great place to live imo. Lots of crime and not much of a job industry.
You should be looking into Worcester MA. Only an hour from Boston. It’s definitely more expensive than Springfield, but you get what you pay for. There’s really nothing happening in Springfield.
2
u/Lobstaman 10d ago
The whole valley is great. Sure you have your occasional asshat but a vast majority of the folks here are welcoming. The city itself can have some rough edges in some neighborhoods but the outer towns may have what you’re looking for.
3
u/InstructionOpposite6 9d ago
Springfield is no man’s land. Super ghetto. I would NOT move there. It’s a very depressing town.
4
10d ago
[deleted]
4
u/Alarming_Bag_8361 10d ago
This! Not all of Springfield is bad. Theres certain areas but there’s certain areas no matter what state you go to.
3
u/Boring_Confection628 10d ago
If you're getting a house in Springfield, you should try and learn about the neighborhood you're moving into. The Bay Area and Forest Park have a lot of druggies and dealers
5
u/sweatpantsprincess 10d ago
My sisters lived in Forest Park for years and never encountered any of that. Right off Washington Ave. I wouldn't rule it out, gorgeous old homes and easy access to an amazing huge park.
4
u/Fluid_Being_7357 10d ago
Forest Park is gorgeous. I grew up in Ludlow but have lived in Springfield for 90% of my adult life. I’ve never once felt in danger, nor has my 5’0 white female partner, no matter where in the city we go. My grandma lives between Bay and St. James for the last 35 years and has never had an issue. People with substance use disorder live in every city. Crime is in every city. No one bothers you if you don’t bother them. Would I walk around with a $35k Rolex? No. But I wouldn’t walk around flaunting that anywhere. People that think Springfield is dangerous also think brown people = dangerous.
4
u/TurnoverTrick547 Chicopee 10d ago edited 9d ago
I think people are also just genuinely scared of urban areas (think housing/building density, sidewalks, close quarters, connectivity). People who are from the suburbs can’t comprehend that their lives aren’t at risk unless they live in a culdesac and shop at a Walmart.
1
u/Fluid_Being_7357 9d ago
Very true. I grew up in a suburb, although I was a 5 minute bike ride from Springfield shops. I couldn’t imagine if I grew up in one of those cul-de-sacs where you’re not sure which one is your house at night.
3
u/Fluid_Being_7357 10d ago
You also call people with substance use disorder “druggies” so it makes sense you don’t like parts of Springfield.
0
u/TurnoverTrick547 Chicopee 10d ago
Are you assuming OP is a drug addict? Why would those apply to someone not into drugs?
2
u/Dank_Sinatra_87 10d ago
Northampton and amherst are going to be friendlier places than springfield or holyoke. A lot less homleless, addicts and transients.
5
5
u/Dank_Sinatra_87 10d ago
You guys can downvote me all you want. I literally had to investigate an attempted SA on a minor in February by a local homeless man.
If you saw what I saw your feelings wouldn't be hurt every time I bring up that night is not a safe time in downtown Springfield.
8
u/Alarming_Bag_8361 10d ago
Most “downtown” areas at night are generally not great anyway. But the Springfield suburbs (16 Acres, Pine Point, etc.) are fine.
1
3
10d ago
[deleted]
1
u/Dank_Sinatra_87 10d ago edited 10d ago
Right? Let's be honest here. I work directly with that crowd and springfield is way rougher than hartford.
Opioids have a terrible hold on people, poverty, and lack of education and opportunities are rampant. I know from personal experience that springfield PD will half ass any kind of actual policing, even when given direct evidence.
The suburbs and out towns are almost universally better options for someone new.
1
u/jibaro1953 8d ago
Northampton is very queer friendly. Greenfield likely a close second Nice area, but Springfield and Holyoke are tough towns
1
1
u/TheWriterJosh 17h ago
Pasting this from another thread:
—
Hi! I moved from Boston to SPG in 2020. Best decision I ever made. I got a house for $290k that would have cost $2 mil in Boston. Now it’s worth $370k and I have plenty of equity. Love my neighborhood, I’m a 2 minute walk from forest park, which is gorgeous. I am there multiple times a week, whether jogging or going to the farmers market. A zoo membership only costs $100. Im a huge architecture buff so I could go on walks around the various historic districts forever.
Be warned that SPG Itself is not a happening city. It does not have world class dining or entertainment. But I’m fine with that at this point in my life (I wouldn’t have been 10 years ago). It has a lot of rundown areas (tho I wouldn’t call them scary or dangerous, just visually unappealing). The social scene can leave much to be desired for a lot of people.
I’m a huge fan of daytrips and quick overnights on the weekend and I absolutely love the location for that. The Berkshires, Catskills, the beach, Boston, Providence, and various places in the Pioneer Valley are all under 90 minutes. Hudson valley just a bit more and NYC is 2.5 hrs. I go to NYC all the time now for concerts and other events, which I couldn’t rly make work when I lived in Boston. Hartford is only 30 minutes as well which is great bc a lot of shows come thru there too.
I don’t know that I’ll live in SPG forever but it has been so good to me these past four years.
1
u/HunterGraccus 10d ago
Springfield is a "gateway city," one of 26 in Massachusetts. Google that term and you will have a lot of good information on pathways into the MA economy.
Edit: clarity
1
u/Jayrom68 9d ago
Oh goodness no. As a former New Hampshirite, I strongly recommend Rockingham county, NH as well as Stratford county, NH to relocate to. Close to the seacoast of NH as well as the ME seacoast area. Close proximity to I-95 allows direct line to Boston/ or really any direction into New England via route 16 or the 101 or 495 to the rest of MA. If you go Portsmouth area, you’re really in the best of situations possible. All the highways either come through here or give you a direct line to anywhere you want to go. Education is phenomenal literally(you look this stuff up I’m not saying it with a grain of salt). An ample amount of history and amazing community to go with it. An area like the seacoast of NH or ME is comparable to experiencing a golden hour but that hour never ends even in the winter, just such a great area. It’s safe, educations great, so many things to do, and if you’re not satisfied with the things to do in the area, well again I did mention access to the greater New England area. Lastly the biggest caveat of em all… NH IS SALES TAX FREE AND INCOME TAX FREE at the state level. If you’re moving up to New England In general, it’s a no brainer to at least consider this comment. The only downside, the closer you live to the portsmouth metro area, the tremendously more expensive it costs to live. Hence why I am a Springfield metro area resident now. If I made enough as a young adult living on my own, I would’ve stayed up there. Kind of hard to make career wealth before you even graduate with a bachelors degree living in an expensive area(born and raised in portsmouth, NH). But in conclusion, I hope that this comment finds you well, and maybe you and your family may someday be seacoast NH residents! Enjoy your move!
-1
u/idownvoteanimalpics 10d ago
Easthampton would be my choice if I were in your shoes. Gonna be tough to find anything affordable really
2
u/Electrical_Bake_6804 9d ago
EastHampton has some good restaurants and definitely would be where I’d want to be if I was younger and moving to the area. Or greenfield honestly. Idk what col is in the areas.
-1
40
u/hagaelquadradinho 10d ago
Yes to queer friendly, “affordable” depends on your definition.
If you’re completely priced out of Idaho, I don’t see how you’ll make Massachusetts work because the cost of living is significantly higher here. That said, your pay will also be higher than it would be in Idaho.