Nicknamed as "The Birthplace of Basketball," Springfield is widely known as the place where Dr. James Naismith invented the game of basketball. Springfield is also the third largest city in Massachusetts and the second largest metropolitan area behind the Greater Boston metropolitan area. Also, the city of Springfield is the fourth largest city in all of New England, trailing only Boston, Worcester and Providence in terms of population size.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Springfield. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Springfield Climate
Springfield has a humid continental climate, typical of most of the New England region and the state of Massachusetts. July is the hottest month in the state, averaging about 71oF ( 22oC) and January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 26 F(3oC). The state has a more temperate climate. The climate is colder across the state and is drier across the western region.
Springfield's summers are very warm and sometimes humid. The daily average in July is around 74oF (23oC). Spring and fall temperatures are usually pleasant, with mild days and crisp, cool nights. Precipitation averages 46.7-inches (1,186 mm) annually, and snowfall averages 49-nches (124 cm), most of which falls from mid-December to early March. One of the main attractions in Massachusetts however, is the perfect fall weather.
Springfield Geography and Neighborhoods
There are a total of 17 different neighborhoods located in Springfield. Each of these neighborhoods has its own distinct flavor and each neighborhood is as culturally diverse and unique as the next. Some of the more popular neighborhoods include the Indian Orchard neighborhood, which gives off a quaint, Main Street, U.S.A. vibe and is complete with historic mills that have been since turned into artist's spaces. The neighborhood is largely residential and also contains a weekly farmer's market and several parks.
There is also the Liberty Heights neighborhood which contains not one, not two, but three nationally ranked hospitals and features a demographically diverse population. The McKnight Historic District features old Victorian architecture and a culturally diverse population as well, and the Metro Center neighborhood is the place to go for all of your dining, night life and entertainment needs, as most of the city's entertainment venues are located here along with over 60 different clubs, restaurants and bars. Finally, the South End is the city's Italian American neighborhood with a host of great Italian restaurants and annual Italian festivals. The neighborhood is more urban than other Springfield neighborhoods and is bisected by Interstate 91. The National Basketball Hall of Fame is located in the South End.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in Springfield is slightly lower than the national average and also lower than other cities of comparable size in the northeast. The city's location in the northeast and its proximity to major cities such as Boston, Hartford, Providence and New York make it a prime location in one of the busiest areas of the country, and this kind of location is typically responsible for a higher cost of living, on average. The median family income in Springfield is $43,395.
The median home price for an average home in Springfield is $109,650, also lower than other, similar home prices when compared to competing real estate markets in surrounding areas, and substantially lower than the national average as well. Springfield's location makes it an incredibly convenient location for recreational purposes, as well as for the available employment opportunities in nearby cities.
Registering Your Car
It is necessary for you to have Massachusetts insurance in order to obtain motor vehicle registration. You must have the insurance agent stamp on your application for the vehicle to be registered. Once the application has the insurance stamp, you can take it to any Massachusetts RMV office for processing. You will then receive a registration certificate and registrations must be renewed yearly.
If you already have a driver's license from the state you have moved, you must go to the Massachusetts RMV location and get your license transferred to Massachusetts. You must also submit to a mandatory vision test and pay a transfer fee. And in case you do not have a valid license, you must go through the process of applying for a permit and license. If you are under the age of 18, you will be eligible for a junior operator's license.
Springfield Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Springfield, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Massachusetts. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Springfield Schools
Springfield is located in the region known as The Knowledge Corridor, which contains the highest concentration of higher learning institutes in the entire nation. The Knowledge Corridor contains 32 universities and liberal arts colleges that educate over 160,000 students. In a 16-mile radius from Springfield's Downtown Metro Center, there are 18 universities with over 100,000 students. Some of these universities located within the city of Springfield include Western New England University, Springfield College, American International College, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Cambridge College.
The Springfield public school system educates around 25,000 students a year and is the second largest school district, not only in Massachusetts, but in all of New England. It contains 38 elementary schools, six middle schools, six high schools and seven specialized schools. The city's high schools include the High School of Commerce, Springfield Central High School, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School and the Springfield High School of Science and Technology.
Springfield Employment
Healthcare is the largest economic sector in the city of Springfield, with Baystate Health being the largest employer in the city and the third largest employer in the state of Massachusetts with over 10,000 employees. Other major employers are Big Y Supermarkets, Breck Shampoo, and Health New England. The main industries that comprise the Springfield economy are trade and transportation, health and education, manufacturing, tourism and government. Springfield is considered to have one of the fastest growing multi-cultural markets in the nation.
The local economy and job market is in a period of growth and the current unemployment rate is relatively low, while the job growth rate is at 4.6 percent. A few of the major corporations headquartered in the city include Smith & Wesson, Merriam-Webster and the MassMutual Financial Group, the largest Fortune 100 company to be headquartered in the state of Massachusetts.
Public Transportation
Springfield is served by the Bradley International Airport which serves the Springfield-Hartford area. The city also has a good bus and rail transport system, and an Amtrak station is located in the city providing transportation to other major cities such as New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, Montreal, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and Chicago. Also, the Peter Pan Bus Service operates the local transit buses and the PVTA provides residents with bus service within the city of Springfield and to surrounding areas such as Chicopee, West Springfield, Westfield and Holyoke.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Springfield is a culturally diverse city with both historic sites and a bustling downtown area with entertainment venues, bars and restaurants that will suit just about anyone's tastes and interests. With over 14 local festivals that take place in the city throughout the year from the Hoop City Jazz Festival to the Caribbean Festival, an exciting night life, museums and local interest sites and theme parks, there is never a dull moment in Springfield.
Six Flags New England, the region's largest and most popular theme park, is located only a few miles from Springfield. Located within the city are a host of other popular sites and attractions including the National Basketball Hall of Fame, which holds its enshrinement weekend every July, the Springfield Science Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Eastern States Exposition and Fairgrounds, Court Square and Springfield native Dr. Seuss's National Memorial Sculpture Garden. In addition, Springfield's Club Quarter is the nightlife capital of Western New England and is comprised of over 60 bars and night clubs and music venues.
Moving to Springfield
Whatever your reasons for moving to Springfield, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Springfield is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.