Real Estate in Springfield | Springfield Homes For Sale
Welcome to the premiere website for Springfield, Massachusetts real estate information. Whether you're a Springfield resident who's spent your life making suction diffusers at a local factory and you're thinking of selling up and moving out of state or you're an out-of-towner looking to invest in real estate in Springfield, MA, we've got you covered. Our website has everything you need to know on Springfield, Massachusetts including where the best schools are, what industries are most prominent, what the health care infrastructure is like, the feel of the community, what you can do for fun there, and of course, what you can expect from the real estate market. So read on and be enlightened.
Springfield, Massachusetts: The City of Homes
Springfield, MA is the county seat of Hampden County, which is located in inland Massachusetts near the border with Connecticut. The city sits on the banks of the Connecticut River on a relatively flat plain known as the Pioneer Valley. Founded in 1636, it was named after the village in England where its founder was born and was the first city in what would eventually become the United States to bear the name. The city currently has a population of about 149,000, making it the fourth largest city in the state. Springfield's nickname, "the City of Homes" comes from the number of 19th century Victorian mansions it has.
The history of Springfield, MA's economy began with farming, forestry and the export of beaver skins in its early days followed by an almost total reliance on manufacturing in the 20th century. Among the things that were turned out by its factories are the Springfield rifle, automobiles, Indian motorcycles, board games, and Smith & Wesson revolvers. The decline in manufacturing in the 80s and 90s has hit Springfield hard, but some companies, including Smith & Wesson, remain in the area.
Springfield, MA's proximity to Hartford, Connecticut makes it part of the New England Knowledge Corridor, so-called because of the high concentration of post-secondary education institutes. Greater Springfield is home to thirteen universities and colleges. Many of these colleges have active sports programs, especially in basketball, as the sport was invented there by Canadian James Naismith in 1891. The city is home to the NCAA Division II Championships and the Basketball Hall of Fame. Springfield is also known as the birthplace of Dr. Seuss and features a memorial sculpture garden dedicated to his work.
Neighborhoods and Home Styles in Springfield, MA
As you would expect from a community with a nickname like "the City of Homes," Springfield, Massachusetts has a wide variety of houses for you to choose from, most of which are of the single family detached variety and many of which have some sort of historical connection, though there are some townhouses, condos and apartments as well. The city is divided into eighteen distinct neighborhoods, so no matter what your lifestyle you should be able to find one that suits you.
Downtown offers the widest variety, since it has century-old row houses existing alongside modern condo towers and converted factories. For a charming 19th century country estate feel, choose the Atwater neighborhood, which is one of the city's most desirable. There you will find colonial, Tudor and ranch style homes. Artists will feel comfortable in Indian Orchard, which began life as a mill village but has since been turned into live/work spaces. The grandest most historic houses, however, are in the Maple Hill and Ridgewood historic districts which overlook the valley and feature mansions built between 1820 and 1920.
The cost of living in Springfield, Massachusetts is 117.7, more than the U.S. average of 100. The houses, however, cost less than one might think considering their elegance. The average single family home goes for around $171,000 while town houses average out at a more modest $169,000 and condos range on average from $142,000 to $190,000. Average rents are approximately $700 per month.
Contact a Springfield, MA Real Estate Agent
We're one of Springfield, Massachusetts' top real estate firms, so you can't do better than to place your trust in us. We'll make sure you get top value for your home if you're selling and that you find the absolute perfect home for you and your family if you're buying. No one knows the market quite like a real estate agent, so let ours guide you through the often complicated process of buying or selling a home. To choose a reliable agent, simply contact us through our office.