Why Springfield, Mass., Is a Great Place to Retire

Looking for a great place to retire? Consider Springfield, Massachusetts. The city has a population just shy of 155,000 and is only an hour-and-a-half drive to Boston and just thirty minutes to Hartford. Housing prices are also surprisingly reasonable considering the city’s proximity to a number of population-dense metropolitan areas. Within city limits, $300,000 is sufficient to purchase a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath, brick colonial in Forest Park. The city is also home to a number of museums, including a delightfully unique structure that was recently opened in dedication to the life and work of a Springfield native: Theodor Geisiel, better known to children as Dr. Seuss.

The city is not all sunshine and roses, however, as the winters are bitingly cold and the crime rate in the area is relatively high. Springfield has also struggled with urban decay since the exit of a number of local manufacturers. The city has undertaken a concerted effort to reduce these issues by strengthening its police force and encouraging new business entrants. An MGM Casino is slated to open soon and will bring more than 55,000 square feet of retail space. Massachusetts taxes are fairly reasonable, but estates valued at over $1 million may be subject to an estate tax.

See Sandra Block, Why Springfield, Mass., Is a Great Place to Retire, Kiplinger, 2017.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.