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Are you thinking of moving or relocating to Springfield, Missouri? Would you like to know what the quality of life is like living in Springfield?
Dennis Lord reports in this review:
| Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? | | Springfield is in the heart of the midwest - with somewhat moderate Summers and Winters - but Spring can be a real doozie - I-44 has been named Tornado Alley and we get a few good ones that touch down and do damage every year! | | The Ozarks in Missouri have been called the Meth-Capital of the world and there has been so much legislation to try to deter criminals from buying the legal products in bulk that are used to produce Meth. As such, the majority of crime is drug related - crimes of theft to sell for drugs - or drug possession. | | The worst part of Springfield is the North and North-West areas of town. As you drive north of Sunshine and west of National the houses are smaller and less kept up. There are more business and economic areas along the I-44 corridor, and more transient traffic. Yes, there are pockets of areas still that are out of the norm, but most people with any money move south and to the east in Springfield - to the better residential areas, and the better school districts south of James River Freeway and Republic Road, merging south into Christian County, the fastest growing County in Missouri and the largest sleeper community for the Springfield area. | | Diversity is not a word used in Springfield very much. The minority population is very low. The people seem friendly enough, but it is a very "surface" friendly. We had lived in Springfield for a few years, and my wife is an extremely outgoing and personable person, who literally "hated" this town because of the lack of real friends that she had found here. Her analogy was: "Springfield people will invite you to dinner at their house, but then make you sit at the kids table..." The people are very Clique-ish and if you went to college at Mizzou (Univ. of Missouri) or MSU (Missouri State Univ here in Springfield)then you'll do just fine. But if you went to one of the other thousands of colleges across the United States, you might just have to be happy hanging out at the kids table, or befriending other migrants who have found themselves here in the Ozarks with you. | | Downtown Area | | Restaurants | | Schools | | Single life | | The downtown area is hopping, and there has been a revitilization of many areas in the last 5-10 years, Commercial Street (C-street), Walnut Street (Art Fests) and the Square, but most of the real shopping is at Springfield's only mall - the Battlefield Mall - anchored by Macys, Dillards, Sears, and JC Penneys and a 100 stores in between. | | Springfield is an "eating-out" kind of town. On Friday and Saturday nights, it is not uncommon for there to be a 1-2 hour wait at every restaurant you go to, including most of the chains. But to get away from the chains, some of the better places to eat are Nakatos for Japanese Grill and Sushi, Argentina Steakhouse for incredible service and a great thick juicy steak, Pizza House for arguably the best Pizza in the area, and Bijan or Flame Restaurant for elegant dining and haute-cuisine. | | Christian County is the county directly to the south of Greene County (Springfield) with some of the best schools in the area. Green County and Christian County have schools that are top-ranked in the state of Missouri. | | With Missouri State University, Drury University, Evangel University, Southwest Bible College, Ozark Technical College all located in Springfield, as well as a number of other accredited colleges with smaller campuses here bring much educational opportunities. And with Education brings younger crowds - single crowds! | | Noise | | town comparison vs. | | Best hospital | | Tourist attractions | | There are no unusual noises around Springfield - the airport is outside the city limits and flight paths don't come into play. The main Highways have been cordoned off near residential areas that abut them. | | The smaller towns around Springfield, Mt. Vernon, Rogersville, Strafford, Republic, Nixa, Fair Grove, Bolivar are all small farming-centered towns that rely on Springfield as their central hub. The bigger cities within 2-3 hours of Springfield are St Louis, Kansas City, and Tulsa; real "big-cities" where Springfield people even go when they need to really shop or dine. | | There are two main Hospitals in Springfield - Cox Health and Mercy Health Systems, both are major hospitals in the area, that have garnished national awards every year for different departments and specialties. | | Springfield has alot going on, with Lake areas to the north and south, Branson, only a short 40 minute drive away, Bass Pro Shop's "Granddaddy of Outdoor Stores" right here in the middle of town, the Springfield Cardinals - farm team for the St Louis Cardinals games every Spring, The Juanita K Hammons Hall bringing big city shows and culture to Springfield. So much to do and see in Springfield, it is truly a small sampling of what the Ozarks have to offer anyone who comes for a visit. | | General comments | | | | | | | | It feels safe for the most part. A few years ago, Springfield was named as one of the top 10 safest places to live and raise a family - and that feelings is real. It is a small town that wants to be a big city, but still has the low crime rate of a smaller town. Springfield is headquarters to Bass Pro Shop and it is fitting, as the people here are Outdoor fanatics - with virtually the entire city shutting down in some form with the beginning of Turkey hunting season, Deer hinting season, or some sort of fishing. If you love the Outdoors - you'll love the Ozarks! | | | | | | |
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