Thirty four towns in the U.S. are named
Springfield, and one of them is located in southwest Missouri.
This particular Springfield has a population of 155,000 (450,000 people in the
metro area) and is known as the "Gateway to the Ozarks."
Missouri State University (population 21,000) and five smaller,
religious colleges are here, and the city has a few other claims to
fame. It was the site of the nation's first recorded gunfight, a
high noon "quick draw" duel between Wild Bill Hickok and a
gambler named Davis Tutt (Tutt lost), and it is the birthplace of Route
66, the famous Chicago to L.A. highway. It is an affordable city
with a cost of living nearly 20% below the national average and a median
home price of $115,000. Of those calling Springfield home, 20% are
age 45 to 64, and 15% are age 65 or better. Summer temperatures
are in the 80s and 90s; winter temperatures are in the 20s, 30s and
40s. The area receives 3 to 5 inches of precipitation each month,
some of which is snow. Humidity is high. Tornados are not
uncommon. According to Forbes Magazine, Springfield has the
most varied weather in the U.S.
The city has six hospitals, two of which, the Cox
Medical Center and St. John's Regional Health Center, are listed in the
Top 100 hospitals in the country. Both also provide excellent senior
health programs. There are
several senior centers sprinkled around town, and the city has a good
bus system (those 65 or better ride for $.55). The downtown
is undergoing a bit of a revitalization, and there are ninety-two parks
and three golf courses within city limits. Rolling hills to the
south of town provide recreation opportunities, and six lakes are within 100 miles. The Springfield Regional
Opera, the Springfield Ballet, the Springfield Symphony and several
Civil War museums make their home here. Dining and shopping venues
are standard for a city this size. Springfield-Branson National
Airport serves the city with direct flights to twelve cities.
Voters lean to the right.
Most of that bodes well, and at first glance,
Springfield seems like a nice place. Yet few people rave about it.
The city has won some awards (BizJournal named it a Top 50 city for
"Best Quality of Life," and Worldwide ERC called it a top
city for relocating one's family), but at the same time, msnbc.com named it the 10th worst city in the U.S. for raising a
family. Such diverse opinions may be the result of
conservative or liberal media bias, but there some good reasons to avoid
Springfield.
The crime rate is nearly double the national
average, and according to the U.S. Department of Justice,* Springfield
is a state distribution center for cocaine, marijuana, and
methamphetamine. Since 2005, the number of gang members
distributing drugs in Springfield has increased, and drug deals take
place on the streets rather in private homes. In addition, the city is slowly losing population (although
outlying areas are gaining population), and the few jobs that are
available are low-paying. Schools and the public library
system are underfunded. Diversity is practically non-existent, and
the poverty level is higher than the state level. Word is
that it is difficult for newcomers to break into social circles.
Tourists come to visit, and some are here to see the birthplace of Route 66. Most are here, though, because they
cannot find a hotel room in Branson, the country music center, 35 miles down the road.
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Affordable housing, nearby recreation
areas and good medical
care are pluses, but the high crime rate, drug problem,
lack of infrastructure spending and more residents
moving out of the city than moving in are definite
drawbacks. |
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*DOJ
