[Wheelingman04]

I have been reading a little about this city. It seems like the economy there has been suffering over the past few decades. I have a few quick questions.

What is the city like?
Is it a good place to live?
What is the crime rate?
Is it beginning to revitalize?
What does the future hold?

Could someone post a few pictures of the skyline or city neighborhoods? :)

[Ex-Ithacan]

I've heard there's some serious crime issues in Springfield, but have no stats to back that up. There appeared to be some rehab going on in downtown and a couple of nearby hoods. I have no idea about what the city is like to live in, and I just passed through it fairly briefly, but here are a few pics from my visit:

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7935/sprma104055vy.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/954/sprma104066ar.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7138/sprma104088as.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/1289/sprma104094xq.jpg

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7803/sprma104168gs.jpg

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/4928/sprma104173ci.jpg

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/4395/sprma104193wx.jpg

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/452/sprma104264hs.jpg

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/1332/sprma104272yi.jpg

:)

[Wheelingman04]

^ Thanks for posting those pictures, Ex-Ith.:tup: The skyline is pretty impressive.

[donybrx]

I've passed through Springfield a few times on the way to VT. Being the city geek that I am i drove into downtown and found a lot to like, old stuff especially, and some tall buildings. From what I glean, though, Springfield is not in good shape compared to eastern MA cities and Hartford, not far to the south. Unemployment and other losses have taken their toll here.

If you go, there's a couple of hot wooden coasters at Six Flags in Agawam MA, across the river and just southwest of Springfiled. I dare ya.....

[Wheelingman04]

^ I would love to if I ever get the money to go there.

[Captain59]

If you go, there's a couple of hot wooden coasters at Six Flags in Agawam MA, across the river and just southwest of Springfiled. I dare ya.....
I ride the Thunderbolt a couple of times during each annual visit, but you will never, ever get me on the Cyclone. People say that thing creeks and sways and feels like it's going to fall apart each time they ride. No way!

[kznyc2k]

I've never set foot in the city, and I've also heard that crime is a serious at the moment, but I took these shots a year ago when I was passing through on an Amtrak train.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5559/dscf0007fd4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6613/dscf0016nq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6489/dscf0017yx3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Quite the nice bridge
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/705/dscf0018oy4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[danwxman]

Springfield kinda looks like Harrisburg, PA. Especially those bridges. Girl, Interupted was filmed in Harrisburg to look like Springfield, Mass.

[Wheelingman04]

I really appreciate you posting those pictures, kznyc2k.:yes: They really show that Springfield has a nice skyline. It kind of reminds me of a mix between Harrisburg and Syracuse.

[Wheelingman04]

I was looking at Springfield's crime rate. It is pretty high. There are about 152,000 people in Springfield and there were 17 murders. That is pretty high, but definately not unheard of. I think the crime rate will begin to drop because the economy of the area is beginning to improve. Springfield and surrounding governments have partnered with Hartford to help attract more jobs to the area.

[MetroJunkie BJR]

The skyline of Springfield is impressive. Even more so than Harrisburg, PA, the city looks a lot like Columbus, OH.

[donybrx]

I ride the Thunderbolt a couple of times during each annual visit, but you will never, ever get me on the Cyclone. People say that thing creeks and sways and feels like it's going to fall apart each time they ride. No way!

I've ridden the Cyclone at Six Plags New England 3 or 4 times.....it's wicked, for sure but so much fun! and this is the 'tamer' version......they elevated the
level of the bottom of the first dip by 20 feet, I think, to make it less horrific, since it turns back 180 degrees to the next up-hill while torqueing after that first big hill......actually it isn't an old ride...something like 30 years....not anywhere near the vintage Cyclone at Coney Island.....

Yu can DO it! I'll go on with ya.......!

[ColDayMan]

The skyline of Springfield is impressive. Even more so than Harrisburg, PA, the city looks a lot like Columbus, OH.

I was going to say Toledo, but sure.

[Beiruti]

I grew up in Springfield, its a great city! I love the downtown area especially and now it has a lively entertainment district filled with an exciting nightlife and many young people from the surrounding colleges. Also, how can you guys forget that Springfield is the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame (newly remodeled) and the birthplace of Dr. Seuss (the museum, etc, its in downtown)... there is much more to say but I encourage you to come visit!

** Crime may be high right now but that's only in certain areas. Also, I wouldn't recommend living in the city because the schools are not so great (suburbs are safer, cleaner, with better schools).


http://www.oconnells.com/upload/Basketball_Hall_of_Fame/Web_page_picture.jpg

http://jkg.smugmug.com/photos/7711427-S.jpg

[bryson662001]

There is some beautiful countryside around Springfield and some really nice suburban areas also. Longmeadow.....the town directly south.....must have been the inspiration for Stepford because it is so perfect. Not quite as posh, but utterly charming anyway is Wilbraham directly east. It is everything you would expect the stereotypical New England town to be. I think these are the two most upscale suburban towns but there are many other suburbs also that have much to offer. I am not sure how many of these people commute into Springfield but the suburban towns don't seem to have alot of industry or office space of their own.

[rotten777]

Hartford's little brother to teh north (although they have more people in city proper)...

It has more of a blue-collar vibe than here, and not as much rich suburbs. But it has decayed less than Hartford in areas, and has some stable suburban areas. It is also very affordable, in contrast to Boston (heck, even Hartford).

The economy is weaker, but it has a lot of things going for it...if Boston and Massachusetts would let it. I can't wait to take the commuter rail there...because I hate driving on their highways (you can tell the difference in quality when cross the border)...

[AustinBob]

I lived in Springfield from 1983 until 1991 and enjoyed living there at the time. The late 80’s were a bit of a renaissance period for the city with new investment in downtown (that is when the last high-rise was built...the tower with the blue glass). At that time there were several other high-rise developments proposed -- a point tower of about 30 floors for offices, a 25-30 story residential tower on the river front, and a redevelopment of the civic center site with a new office tower of 25 or so floors. Unfortunately, by late 1991 the city's fortunes were turning along with the rest of the economy in the northeast. These and other projects were all put on hold and eventually cancelled. From what I can tell from talking to people who still live in the area, Springfield has never really recovered from this period of decline. The city's successful industrial past has, however, resulted in some very impressive architecture in downtown and throughout the city. If you go, be sure to check out the museums downtown.

[ctman987]

Springfield has a lot of potential but the problem is it needs the state of MA to realize that.

Springfield is the last major city on I-91 after one travels throught New Haven and Hartford. It is also the largest city in the Pioneer Valley. Neighboring Northampton has benefited greatly from the colleges in Northampton and Springfield (Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Smith, UMASS Amherst, Hampshire, Springfield College, etc). Northampton is a very vibrant, hip and young small city. It is home to theaters, small music venues, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, shops, etc. Northampton is similar to downtown New Haven (Yale) and The Village (NYU). There is no reason that Springfield cannot take advantage of all the young blood in the area.

Downtown Springfield does retain a New England city charm. Not all of its historic buildings have been knocked down, the downtown area is not filled with an influx of surface parking lots and there are many green spaces with trees.

Some things that hurt Springfield are that it is the third largest city in Mass. First priority for state funds and improvements is Boston, the capital. Then Worcester which is the 2nd largest city and also closest major city to Boston. Springfield is a long way from Boston and needs more help from the state. Retail in Springfield was also hurt by the opening of suburban malls including the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside which makes it one of the largest malls in New England

[AustinBob]

Not all of its historic buildings have been knocked down, the downtown area is not filled with an influx of surface parking lots and there are many green spaces with trees.


It's too bad they tore the old Steiger's department store building down. It was one of those cool 5-6 story downtown department stores that had a feel you just can't replicate in a suburban mall. Did they ever build anything where Steiger's used to stand?

[rican_papi]

UMmm.....

[Canasian]

I like it better then Worcester, MA.

[rican_papi]

Hartford and Springfield have alot im commen because i was over in Springfield back in May almost all day walking doinf street sweep pasting our free bible and doing stuff for the church but alot of walking and alot of Fun and i mean the worst part of it and people are like the one in Hartford I think Springfield better off being part of Connecticut then Mass because we do things in Springfield and share some of radio station and stuff but like not in Boston....Gotta like this pic Of springfield and hartford in miles in the PIc man Hart&Spring are very close do you think>>>>>http://i2.tinypic.com/zojls3.jpg

[Captain59]

That's an awesome picture of Springfield and Hartford, Papi. Where was it taken?

[rican_papi]

That's an awesome picture of Springfield and Hartford, Papi. Where was it taken?well I found it i did not no where they took it at?? But yeah it is a very cool photo look like brother sister city hahahahahahaha

[bryson662001]

There is somthing funny about that picture. Hartford and Springfield aren't THAT close together. And the atmosphere doesn't look all that clear either to be able to see that far..