Safest areas in Springfield?

Atari007 · June 25, 2010, 09:15:30 AM

I am currently a riverside resident, but the girlfriend and I have been discussing the possibility of moving to the Springfield area. I don't want this to turn into a giant debate, but was wondering if you guys can point out the safest areas in Springfield. We have two children, a 7 year old girl and an 11 year old boy. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

jason_contentdg · June 25, 2010, 09:21:44 AM

Laura Street seems pretty safe, and I know there are quite a few families with young children along that corridor....

strider · June 25, 2010, 09:42:42 AM

I dare say that no one particular area is more or less "safe" than another. With children though, I would look to areas that the blocks are filled in rather than having several empty lots or abandoned foundations. I only say that as the empty spaces tends to mean less normal activity and that normal activity is what makes an area seem used and therefore "safer". Look at Laura, Silver, Pearl, Perry, Hubbard, Market, Walnut and even Ionia....did I miss a street? ... all of them and the numbered cross streets have great areas of "normal activity".

fsujax · June 25, 2010, 09:42:53 AM

the 400 block of East 3rd st is pretty good! seriously.

Atari007 · June 25, 2010, 10:30:35 AM

Thanks for the replys guys. Are there any general guidelines, such as "Stay south of 10th street" or "Stay east of main street" or anything like that?

Springfield Chicken · June 25, 2010, 11:41:36 AM

You can go to coj.net and put in an address and see a 'crime overlay' and even break it down into what type of crime. We did that before we moved here but there was no part of Springfield that really scared us off. I agree with the other comments, and as always, the best way to find out about an area is to hang out at different times of day and chat with the neighbors.
By the way, since we've been here the only problem we had was one night when I left my car unlocked and it was "investigated" by persons unknown. But since I have lousy taste in music, they went through all my CDs and didn't take anything. Even decided my umbrella was too ugly to steal.

acme54321 · June 25, 2010, 01:53:28 PM

I think 8th street is a pretty good border to stay south of personally. East and west.... maybe between pearl and ionia. I looked in Springfield and would probably have bought there if it weren't for the little lady. Those were pretty much my boundaries. I'm still interested in the area, maybe in a few years...

(I also think that drawing a 5 block radius circle around the intesection of 3rd and main is a pretty good bet for a "safer" area)

KuroiKetsunoHana · June 25, 2010, 01:57:39 PM

all ov springfield is fine, don't listen to the detractors--the only thing you have to worry about is obnoxious people goÃ¯ng through midlife crises and, should you happen to be black, an overzealous and racist police force.

danno · June 25, 2010, 02:13:58 PM

In 11 years on Silver Street I have only had one crime commited against me. Was robbed and carjacked at gunpoint in front of my house in the early hours after work about 3 years ago. Other than that all has been good.

Burn to Shine · June 25, 2010, 03:55:13 PM

I don't live there but a friend of mine had his camera jacked from his car. So, I'd advise keeping them locked and have an alarm.

...Or, don't leave cameras and ish in your car.

Burn to Shine · June 25, 2010, 03:56:12 PM

Quote from: danno on June 25, 2010, 02:13:58 PM
In 11 years on Silver Street I have only had one crime commited against me. Was robbed and carjacked at gunpoint in front of my house in the early hours after work about 3 years ago. Other than that all has been good.

That's all?

I think that would be enough for me to move!!!!

hanjin1 · June 25, 2010, 04:31:24 PM

I live on east 7th and haven't had any problems except for stuff being stolen off my porch or backyard, I keep the big dogs outside now to prevent this. But I would say that most of historic springfield is nice from 2nd st on up to 11th and from pearl st to walnut st. I would try to stay more centrally though as the outer boundaries do get a little rough

KuroiKetsunoHana · June 25, 2010, 05:36:28 PM

yeah, it does get pretty rough at the edges--i live on walnut, and the other day this dude totally tried to sell me a pair ov rollerblades. it was traumatic.
[/sarcasm]

JaxByDefault · June 25, 2010, 06:53:33 PM

Well Hanjin, I'm on Walnut below 2nd and it's always been pretty quiet here. Thankfully, we've never even had stuff stolen off the porch.

When I say it's quiet here, I mean quiet. I chose SPR because I thought its location near downtown would make it vibrant. It's not. Knowing JAX better, I think we would choose Riverside if we could do it all over again. The houses and neighbors are lovely, but it is a bit dull over here and I'm far more tied to a car than I would have been in Riverside. That said, it was the house that sold on SPR and we're still pretty fond of Our Lady of Perpetual Maintenance.

You'll get 100 different opinions on SPR block-by-block. Ask the immediate neighbors and then go with your gut.

GoldenEst82 · June 25, 2010, 09:12:46 PM

I moved here from R-side, and honestly, I prefer it here.
The issues (theft and bums) I have found to be pretty much the same.

The difference has been in the neighbors. Not to knock R-side; but people have been far more warm and welcoming here, and your neighbors will watch out for you.

It would be wonderful to have more kids in the neighborhood.
I am partial to the East side of Main, but I live here.