City Spotlight: Springfield, MA
Considering moving to Springfield, MA? There’s a lot of good reasons to move to this New England city. Situated near the border between Massachusetts and Connecticut, it’s only 30 minutes to Hartford CT, and an hour and a half to Boston.
About Springfield, MA
This city is located perfectly when one needs access to a larger city and has that small city feel. It's got one of the most common names in history and could be easily referenced to that famous TV show.
It's known as the City of Firsts, due to it being nearly 400 years old since it was founded as one of the initial cities. It is known to have the first armory and military weapons, as well as the place where the first American car was made.
It doesn't stop there with firsts, as it was the first city to start using interchangeable parts, which was the precursor to the industrial revolution and the modern-day world and economy as we know it.
It was founded in 1852 and is home to a lot of different names such as the City of Firsts, City of Homes, A City in the Forest, and Hoop City (obviously due to its connection with the sport). Unsure if any city needs this many names, but always good to have!
Its current Mayor, Domenic Sarno, is actually also its current longest-running Mayor ever (a new record for the City), just recently winning his fourth term.
Demographics and Industry of Springfield, MA
Springfield, MA is getting more diverse with each census count. It had a predominantly White population but has recently expanded to a large African American and Latin community. In addition, it has a small, but growing Asian population. Its population is also increasing, currently, around 150,000 thousand residents call Springfield their home.
Springfield has a robust industry that's quite varied. It ranges from Education to Trade and Transport and is the center of business for Western Massachusetts. There's everything from financial services, to companies such as Smith and Wesson. If you're into sports and want to work in that industry, Springfield, MA is also home to the American Hockey League.
Historical significance
Springfield is one of the earliest cities in the New World. It was a city even before the American Revolution and has been significant as a City of Firsts. It originally was founded as Agawam in 1636 where it defected from Connecticut after only four years!
It’s one of the cities for the Massachusetts Bay Colonies and eventually became Springfield in 1852. It was a place of innovation and invention, and there’s now a massive push for the city to retake that status from its currently governing body.
Anyone famous or anything cool invented in Springfield, MA?
Besides potentially the fictitious Simpsons family, Springfield, MA is where Theodore Geisel was born, who wrote under the name Dr. Seuss. The famous movie actor, Kurt Russell also is from there, as well as several mid-tier actors and actresses. Springfield is also a place where a lot of creativity stems from.
One of the most significant inventions from this lovely city is basketball. Yes, that's right. The actual sport of basketball was invented in Springfield, MA, and paved the way for one of the most popular sports in the world. It's also home to the first American-English Dictionary Meriam-Webster, created in the early 1800s.
What type of schools are there in Springfield, MA?
Springfield has a very strong public school system as well as several notable private schools. Some of the best schools in the area are Chestnut Accelerated Middle School, Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, and Warner. There's currently a total of 59 schools with a decent teacher-to-student ratio. The demographics are highly diverse with a strong minority population as well.
When it comes to higher education, Springfield, MA is home to four universities. Springfield College is ranked 19th in the best regional universities – north category. Massachusetts has several notable Universities in the area.
Within a 50 mile radius of Springfield, MA there are around 50 universities. Some of the top universities in the country are within this radius, such as Harvard, MIT, UMass Amherst, and Amherst College. Some of these are under 30 minutes away, making Springfield a great springboard for higher education.
There’s definitely going to be no shortage of fantastic universities within driving distance, which is especially nice for those parents that want to keep their kids close!
What can we do for fun in Springfield, MA?
Springfield is rich in its history and home to a lot of culture and museums. There’s always the Basketball Hall of Fame (yes part of the building is shaped like one), Springfield Armory National Historic Site, or take in a nice book at the Dr. Seuss memorial park. There’s also a host of museums, such as the Springfield Science Museum and the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum.
Six Flags New England is a bit south of Springfield, MA, and perfect for a weekend adventure with the kids (or just as adults who want to stay as kids!). There's no shortage of activities either, such as the Big E that’s held in September and October. It’s a fun exposition with a focus on agriculture that lasts for a couple of weeks.
If you don't feel sufficiently entertained, as mentioned earlier, it's easy to make day trips to major cities, even New York City, which is under two and a half hours driving. This is a perfect idea for a short trip to the Big Apple.
Don’t forget you’re also in New England, which means one of the best places for those that love nature. There’s a host of hiking and biking trails, as well as camping and white water rafting for those with the blood of an adventurer. If we were to list them all, we’d be here all day.
Best restaurants in Springfield, MA
This is of course all dependent on the type of food one likes, but there are plenty of options for everyone. Since you're already in New England, there's definitely a hunt for some of the best New England Clam Chowder, and Springfield, MA doesn't disappoint.
A staple in the region, many locations offer it such as Crazy Seafood Cajun Seafood and Bar, or if you’re looking for a little bit of extra fun, then dress up like a pirate and head to Kaptain Jimmy’s. Here you can dine like a pirate sailing the high seas with some excellent grub! It's also a micro-distillery and a great place to try some craft brew.
If you’re looking for some excellent BBQ, then look no further than Theodore’s BBQ. They have some amazing choices as well as live blues and some great drinks to parch your thirst. For some fine dining or even a date night, then look no further than Max’s Tavern.
They boast a refined modern American cuisine with a cocktail menu with some of the tastiest concoctions in existence. It's a great place to visit after exploring the basketball hall of fame nearby, or maybe enjoy a brisk evening walk by the Connecticut River.
There are many more options on offer, as everything above is just a small sampling.
Final Thoughts about Springfield, MA
Springfield, MA is that perfect city for people that are looking for a small-town feel, with the possibility to escape to major east coast cities at a moment's notice. It is continuously growing and expanding, with a varied approach to ensure its success as a city. It's also one of the most affordable locations in the vicinity, with a much lower cost of living than its neighboring cities.
Don’t hesitate to be a part of these centrally located hubs in New England.