Positives about Springfield, MA (Boston, Cambridge: crime, homes, safe neighborhoods)

[mc12301]

After coming across all the negative posts about the city of Springfield (and replying to quite a few) written mostly by ignorant suburbanites who most likely have not actually been to Springfield very much and read the mass live forums to much I decided that a post containing some corrections and details about Springfield's positives was necessary from someone who actually lives there, and has their whole lives (thats me).

First off, the crime in Springfield is blown way out of proportion on this forum. Now Springfield is a city with 150,000+ people. As a city it is of course going to have crime. However the thought that you are going to get shanked walking down main street in broad daylight is fairly ridiculous. There are definitely parts of the city that are dangerous, but what city does not have dangerous areas?

Springfield dealt with a lot of corruption and money issues in late 80's and 90's but in the last 10 years that has been straightened out. The city is coming back up, and doing very well.

Now for some information on Springfield neighborhoods. There are seventeen neighborhoods in Springfield, each with its own personality. Two of the biggest and most intact Victorian neighborhoods are located in Springfield, Historic McKnight and Forest Park. These neighborhoods contain hundreds of amazing Victorian homes ranging in price from $100,000 to $500,000 depending on size, condition, etc... They are wonderful communities. Springfield is second only to Boston when it comes to architecture because of these two neighborhoods. It is true that there are parts of Forest Park and McKnight that are rough, but generally they are two fairly safe neighborhoods. If you are interested in newer construction Springfield contains that two. East Forest Park, Sixteen Acres, Indian Orchard, and East Springfield Neighborhood are all very nice areas with many capes, split levels, and new construction. Expect to spend between $100,000 to $250,000 in those neighborhoods.

The gem of Springfield is the Forest ParkPark, which contains acres of green land, pools, lakes, wild life, anything you can imagine. It is amazing!

Please check out this website which has some more information and pictures of Springfield, choosespringfieldmass.com

Any questions you have may be posted in this thread.

Thank you.
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[Urban Peasant]

Originally Posted by mc12301

Springfield dealt with a lot of corruption and money issues in late 80's and 90's but in the last 10 years that has been straightened out. The city is coming back up, and doing very well.

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Well not quite. I thought Springfield had to file for bankruptcy as late as 2006. Perhaps it is doing better than the past but I wouldn't say it has entirely straightened out yet unless I still have outdated info.

I do agree that Springfield's bad rep is blown out of proportion. I last went to Springfield in '04, visited the Museums at the Quadrangle, and had a great time. What Springfield lacks is foot traffic, the place is relatively quite on weekends. That said, I visited Hartford several times, stayed in the good parts, and still had absolutely no problems.

[mc12301]

yes, improvement have been made since '04. and you are right financial problems are not COMPLETELY straightened out but it is a lot better and the wheeles are turning. As far as I know Springfield did not file for bankruptcy.

[lrfox]

Nice thread. I too believe that many of our cities (outside of Boston/Cambridge) get a terrible reputation. Much of it is undeserved and too much of the negative commentary is without foundation or incredibly general. Often times the ones doing the negative posting are people with very little understanding of the city(/ies) or people who have never left and can't imagine (and haven't been exposed to) anything worse.

Like many New England cities, crime is really relegated to certain pockets of the city. It would be a lie to say there aren't parts of the city to avoid (like you said, it's a city of 150k and a metro of over 700k), but the nice neighborhoods are wonderful.

I think Springfield has some wonderful architecture (though 2nd only to Boston is a stretch, New Bedford's historic districts are incredibly diverse with the downtown looking London-esque and incredible estates and victorian homes while Newburyport has some incredible Federalist buildings in addition to lovely Victorian and Colonial collections-- Massachusetts is blessed with good architecture) as well as cultural attractions. I'm personally VERY fond of Springfield. It's got some rough spots (what real city doesn't?), but it's a nice place.

[mc12301]

Thank you Irfox.Nice to see an educated comment on here.

[kettlepot]

I've only driven through Springfield once, on a trip to NW CT. However, it's been on the more extended list of my potential relocation sites. I thought it was likely to have the good architecture of the East without the super-high costs of Boston, Providence, and other large metro areas. And yet as a city, allow someone to live in an actual neighborhood rather than off of a rural highway which is the case in much of the rest of New England. I'm glad to see a thread started that:

1) Isn't biased towards new construction - I hate new construction
2) Isn't devoted only to how good the schools are
3) Has realistic expectations about crime in urban centers

[mc12301]

Thank you kettlepot:

I like to keep it real.

[Rose Red]

this is a good thread. I'm going to be visiting MA - West Springfield area in the next couple of weeks. I grew up in MA. Haven't visited in 5 years and I forgot about the museums. I'll have o google Forest Park and take my 4 year old.

[mc12301]

Forest Park is amazing, a true gem.

[Rose Red]

It's nice to hear that. The first 14 years of my life we ived in Springfield. I went to Forest Park Jr. High - (you can probably guess how long ago that was!). Our P.E. classes used to be held in Forest Park and my friends and I used to "cut through" Forest Park to get to and from school in the Spring. That was ages ago!