Springfield or Yellow Springs (Columbus, Cleveland: high crime, homes, movies)

[Back to OH]

I am moving to back Ohio (where I lived for 24 years) from Seattle (where I've lived for the past four years.) I like Seattle a lot, but family, many friends, and now a new job are back in Ohio. (Plus, Seattle is soooo expensive.) I will be working in Springfield, but need to live in a green / progressive community. From what I've read, I'm fairly sure Yellow Springs is such a community so most of my questions are about Springfield.

Are there walkable areas in Springfield? (residential areas that allow residents to walk to grocery stores, movies, etc.?)

If so, are any of the residential areas close to Wittenberg? (I don't want to live in student housing and the U. seems to own a lot of housing near the school.)

Is Springfield at all bike friendly?

I read the crime stats. for Springfield and they seem high for a city of that size-- are there residential / commercial areas in the city that are unsafe? (Very simplistic def. of unsafe: places a woman can't walk alone without being creeped out or in danger.)

If anyone has commuted from Yellow Springs to Springfield does the winter weather get too bad? (I know winter in OH is unpredictable, I'd just like to hear from anyone who makes the commute.)

I would rather live in Springfield so I don't have to commute (which is why I'm not considering Columbus or Dayton--both nice cities) but if Springfield is a dying post-industrial city with high crime that's not walkable, bike-friendly, or progressive (the impression I get) I don't think I'd be happy there.

Thanks.

[Traveler87]

Yellow Springs. I am a huge fan. I was just there this past weekend and had a great time. You will enjoy yourself there. The quality of life is great too! Yellow Springs is not far from Springfield, I would say about a 30 minute drive. It is also close to the big cities like Cincinnati and Columbus.

Some pics:
Yellow Springs, Ohio Photo Gallery by Jayson at pbase.com

[caldje]

I have to agree that Yellow Springs is your best bet is you want progressive. I have only spent a month in Springfield but as long as you are in downtown (which is TERRIBLE) its pretty safe.

[Chris in Ohio]

Yellow Springs is not at all far from Springfield. U.S. 68 North becomes an expressway just north of the village, so the commute to Springfield is very quick. Southwest Ohio winters are not Cleveland winters, but it does snow a couple of times during the winter. It's really not that big of a problem!

Keep in mind that Yellow Springs is a village--less than 4000 people. It is a tiny green oasis in an otherwise reliably Republican region.

[YoMikey617]

There's no comparing the two towns... Go with Yellow Springs.

[maranginica]

I have lived in Springfield for 2 years now, because I go to Wittenberg.
Springfield is not pedestrian friendly town, nor it is friendly for bikes.
I almost wrecked my bike because of the concrete and rock pieces lying everywhere.
Commuting from Yellow Springs to Springfield is about 15 mins,so it's not that long.

[lemonlauren]

Just as another idea, Fairborn isn't too bad of a little town either, and only about 20 min from Springfield. It's not nearly as "green" as Yellow Springs, but if you live down close to the Fairborn public library, you're within walking distance of almost anything you could need. That little section of Fairborn doesn't have the big chain restaurants or stores, just lots of little locally-owned friendly shops. And there's very very little crime in this area - I'm a mid-20's female, and I've never felt unsafe walking around here. Yellow Springs is still the more environmentally-friendly feel-good green place for sure, but Fairborn is a LOT cheaper to live in if that is a factor for you at all.

One thing is for sure though, I vote you avoid Springfield. There aren't many places you can live that are within walking/biking distance of the necessities without being in a dangerous or at least very noisy or run-down part of town. There are plenty of nice suburb-ish types of areas outside of Springfield (especially in the Clark-Shawnee school district), but none of these are walking or biking friendly places for someone concerned about being environmentally friendly or someone who enjoys substituting their feet for their car every once in a while.

Hope that helps a little.

Lauren

[Teri L]

Wittenberg is surrounded by single family homes. Nice campus.

The commute from Yellow Springs to Springfield is very pleasant. You will have a few days each year where ice will be a problem, but even then, it's not impossible.

Yellow Springs has a wide range of home styles, and price ranges. As does Springfield, but for biking, stick with the village. It's quite pedestrian and biker friendly, and the bike-way gets a lot of use all year.

If you are looking for something more rural, Donnelsville and Urbana are small town and agricultural midwest communities, just another option to consider.