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Catlover827

(191 posts)
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 03:49 PM Sep 2012

Opinion needed: How is Springfield as a place to live?

My husband is interviewing for a job there next month. We've been to Chicago numerous times, but never Springfield. It's just the two of us plus 3 cats (and maybe my sister). What's it like to live there? How's the quality of life? Would you recommend it? (We're in Texas now...a blue state has to be better, right?) Thanks!

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Opinion needed: How is Springfield as a place to live? (Original Post) Catlover827 Sep 2012 OP
i can only give you my half assed, rumor driven opinion, but mopinko Sep 2012 #1
I left. ChazInAz Sep 2012 #2
My nieces both went to Illinois Wesleyan. greatauntoftriplets Sep 2012 #4
Downstate IL is a lot more conservative than the Chicago area. It may be a wash vs Texas. Gidney N Cloyd Sep 2012 #3
If you are looking at moving downstate seeviewonder Nov 2012 #5
Thanks, everyone. Catlover827 Nov 2012 #6

mopinko

(69,812 posts)
1. i can only give you my half assed, rumor driven opinion, but
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 04:03 PM
Sep 2012

what i hear is that the place is run by the republicans the way sicily is run by the mafia.
but, there is a lot of wide oped spaces around there, and if that is your thing it might not be so bad.

ChazInAz

(2,536 posts)
2. I left.
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 05:10 PM
Sep 2012

Springfield was my home town. The Republican mafia, the "good ol' boy" style of business and labor relations and the unthinking, John Birch right-wing conservatism drove me out in 1979. The two newspapers are published by the same company..a right-wing propaganda organization that seems to be mentally stuck in the McCarthy era. Tucson has been my home ever since. I've only been back to the Midwest for the occasional visit to family.
Might I suggest Bloomington-Normal. I went to college at Illinois Wesleyan there, visit often, and love the two cities. Two world-class universities, diverse populous, several industries, and an appreciation of art and culture that is totally lacking in Springfield. Best of all, the state legislature is seventy miles away, so you'll never run into any of those corrupt louts.

greatauntoftriplets

(175,700 posts)
4. My nieces both went to Illinois Wesleyan.
Mon Sep 24, 2012, 12:01 PM
Sep 2012

I agree that Bloomington-Normal is a great town.

Unfortunately, I've only been to Springfield a few times so I don't feel qualified to comment on it.

Gidney N Cloyd

(19,782 posts)
3. Downstate IL is a lot more conservative than the Chicago area. It may be a wash vs Texas.
Sun Sep 23, 2012, 07:10 PM
Sep 2012

It may be a very pleasant place to live but don't expect a lot of big city activities.

 

Catlover827

(191 posts)
6. Thanks, everyone.
Mon Nov 5, 2012, 02:12 AM
Nov 2012

I got to go with him, and I visited a few Lincoln sites and looked at a few homes with a realtor. I liked the looks of the place, but will keep an open mind. My husband was offered the job - formal offer letter to come in a week. He is interviewing in Hershey, PA tomorrow and Chicago next week. We shall see what happens.

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