Springfireld, Massachusetts. Is it a nice place to live? What can you tell me?

Question

I want to live up north, and I'm working on thinking about moving out. It took some time, but I think buying may be a better idea than renting. I mean, why pay $800/month rent on a house if you can pay half that as a mortgage? Anyways, I know I want to live up in the general area of New England, and my mom said Massachusetts because my Oma and Opa would be near by, but I don't want to live so close that I'll run into them at the grocery store. I first went looking for houses for sale, and they are well priced *i think, but all i have to go on is pictures*

Now, how many job oportunities are up there? What's min wage? Cost of electricity/gas and such? Is it a "big" city in terms of with mall and theaters and such *i already know there is a mall and theaters, actually*?

Anything you can tell me will do me good. This summer I plan on going to check things out, not looking to buy or get a job *yet* but just to see if it's a nice area.

Thank ya much.

Answer 1

Springfield is a complete dump. Crime rate is high, and it is mostly tenement housing.
I would suggest you look to another area. The only thing Springfield has going for it is that it had the basketball hall of fame, and a six flags in the town next to it.
I live about an hr away and have been to six flags and the bball hall of fame several dozens of times. Do yourself a favor, stay away.

Answer 2

First of all nobody really wants to live in mass. most of the locals live in the surounding states such as Vermont and new hampshire if your looking for a place near a big city kind of thing Southern Maine, but out of these three places Vermont and Maine have the highest tax rate...so that leaves you with New hampshire "live free or die"...right in the middle of the 3 and souther new hampshire is really close to boston...i would suggest manchester also refered to as manvegas its a pretty nice place i grew up in vermont and i have been looking at moving somewhere to...new england is a great place good luck!

Answer 3

I would not live in Springfield MA. It is one of the most dangerous cities in the country. There are stabbings, murders and shootings way out of proportion to the population. The city itself suffers major fiscal issues and the state has had to intervene to manage the city.

If you are looking for inexpensive housing, try Franklin County (MA). It is not a wealthy county and no, there isn't alot to do as in malls and stuff but Hampshire County is a very cool (but very expensive) area and is only 15-30 minutes away from Franklin County depending on what town you choose to live in. ..so there is stuff to do within reasonable driving distance.

Franklin County is very close to NH, VT and NH and is in commuting distance to some MA towns where jobs pay more yet housing is way more affordable in Franklin County. Many people from central MA are heading to Franklin County because Route 2 makes an easy commute to higher wages in central MA yet they can live in Franklin Cty where the cost of living is lower.

As far as the VT/NH/ME issue, VT is extremely expensive, NH pays no income or sales tax but property tax is outrageous and southern ME is rather expensive as well.

There are areas that are right on the VT/NH/MA border that are lovely towns and are close to culture, night life..whatever you are looking for.

For affordability, safety, natural beauty and proximity to jobs and stuff to do, Franklin County should be considered. Check it out.