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I thought this would be kind of a fun thread - Let's compare the three biggest Springfields in the US!
In this thread, I'd like to not only compare the cities themselves, but also the MSAs. Basically, I'd like to know which city you like best and if that ranking changes if you include their entire MSAs. The poll above is for the entire MSA.
Here's a criteria you can use, but you're more than welcome to give your views on each MSA.
Scenery/outdoor recreation:
Culture:
Education:
Economy:
Food:
Cost of living:
Crime:
Infrastructure/transportation:
Urbanity:
Desirable suburbs:
Climate:
Location:
Proximity to other major cities
Other:
Last edited by MrDee12345; 07-02-2021 at 12:52 AM..
Springfield MA has roughly the demographics of Camden NJ. High poverty rate. Ridiculously high rate of single parent households. It’s propped up by the extremely vital metro Boston economy. Tiny Longmeadow at 15,000 is the only blue chip suburb. It has a new MGM casino that is unlikely to ever be profitable since the region was already at casino saturation with the two big Indian casinos in Connecticut. It has the Basketball Hall of Fame. The local economy is very weak. The Hartford MSA of 1.3 million is much stronger so it’s at least possible to get to an OK job with only a modest commute.
I can’t comment about the other two Springfields since I’ve never been to either of them but Springfield Ma surely has to be at the bottom. It’s certainly at the bottom of the list of Massachusetts failed cities.
Springfield MA has roughly the demographics of Camden NJ. High poverty rate. Ridiculously high rate of single parent households. It’s propped up by the extremely vital metro Boston economy. Tiny Longmeadow at 15,000 is the only blue chip suburb. It has a new MGM casino that is unlikely to ever be profitable since the region was already at casino saturation with the two big Indian casinos in Connecticut. It has the Basketball Hall of Fame. The local economy is very weak. The Hartford MSA of 1.3 million is much stronger so it’s at least possible to get to an OK job with only a modest commute.
I can’t comment about the other two Springfields since I’ve never been to either of them but Springfield Ma surely has to be at the bottom. It’s certainly at the bottom of the list of Massachusetts failed cities.
Springfield, MA, isn't that bad, especially if we're considering the entire MSA like in this post. In addition to Longmeadow, Amherst and Northampton are highly desirable suburbs in the Springfield, MA, MSA. Springfield has some of the best colleges in the country in its MSA, including two of the "Seven Sisters" (Smith and Mount Holyoke). Also has UMass Amberst. The city has Amtrak and CT Rail commuter train connections. For museums, Springfield Armory, Basketball Hall of Fame, and the art/science/history museums of the Quadrangle area. MGM brings in performers. There's also the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Springfield is under 3 hours to Manhattan, 1.5 hours to Boston, Albany, and Providence, 1 hour to New Haven, and 30 minutes to Hartford. It's 20 minutes to an international airport. Parts of the beautiful Berkshire region are in its MSA as is the Pioneer Valley of the CT River. Crime is higher in the city, but most of the suburbs are safe and affordable. Mass Mutual, Smith & Wesson, and Peter Pan Bus are all headquartered in Springfield and are among its largest employers.
Springfield Mass is the only one I’ve been to, it’s not perfect but the surrounding area makes up for its shortcomings. If you are still of working age I’d pick Mass and at a glance it looks like much more opportunity for employment opportunities and moving up the ladder. Springfield Mo looks beautiful with the rolling hills and everything and would probably be especially great for retirees and it adds low cost of living. The Illinois namesake I don’t think stacks up.
Springfield, MA, isn't that bad, especially if we're considering the entire MSA like in this post. In addition to Longmeadow, Amherst and Northampton are highly desirable suburbs in the Springfield, MA, MSA. Springfield has some of the best colleges in the country in its MSA, including two of the "Seven Sisters" (Smith and Mount Holyoke). Also has UMass Amberst. The city has Amtrak and CT Rail commuter train connections. For museums, Springfield Armory, Basketball Hall of Fame, and the art/science/history museums of the Quadrangle area. MGM brings in performers. There's also the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Springfield is under 3 hours to Manhattan, 1.5 hours to Boston, Albany, and Providence, 1 hour to New Haven, and 30 minutes to Hartford. It's 20 minutes to an international airport. Parts of the beautiful Berkshire region are in its MSA as is the Pioneer Valley of the CT River. Crime is higher in the city, but most of the suburbs are safe and affordable. Mass Mutual, Smith & Wesson, and Peter Pan Bus are all headquartered in Springfield and are among its largest employers.
I am a big fan of their Symphony. It's a real hall made for music too. Some other cites like Nashua play in school auditoriums.
I think Springfield IL is probably the nicest of the three but I haven’t been there in a long time. Springfield MO seemed a little rundown to me.
TBH Springfield IL is kinda run-down too when you get outside the downtown.
From an objective QOL perspective according to what most Americans value, Springfield MO would be the best. I don't like big state university towns, so I'd personally skip Springfield MO (and Springfield OR) and go with Springfield MA.
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