Living in Springfield, Oregon
A Local REALTOR®'s Guide
By Julie Sonam, REALTOR® | Principal Broker | Hearthstone Real Estate
When people contact me about moving to the Eugene-Springfield area, they often arrive knowing quite a bit about Eugene and very little about Springfield. One of the first things I tell them is: don't overlook Springfield.
Eugene and Springfield sit right next to each other, and if you're relocating from a larger metropolitan area, you may be surprised by just how connected the two cities are. You can live in Springfield, work in Eugene, meet friends for dinner in downtown Eugene, hike in Springfield, shop in either city, and cross back and forth between the two without giving it much thought.
Yet Springfield has an identity all its own.
It has historic neighborhoods, newer developments, beautiful parks, locally owned restaurants, an increasingly vibrant downtown, easy access to rivers and trails, and neighborhoods where buyers may find something quite different from what they're seeing just a few miles away in Eugene.
That's why I encourage my buyers to explore both Eugene and Springfield before deciding where they want to live.
So, What Is It Really Like to Live in Springfield, Oregon?
I think one of Springfield's biggest advantages is that it offers tremendous variety.
You can find older homes on tree-lined streets near downtown, established mid-century neighborhoods, newer construction, homes on larger lots, hillside properties with views, and neighborhoods that put you remarkably close to hiking and mountain biking.
Springfield also feels approachable. There are plenty of everyday conveniences, but nature is never very far away.
The McKenzie and Willamette rivers are right here. The mountains are east of us. Hiking and biking trails wind through and around the community. Drive east and before long you're heading into some of the most beautiful parts of Oregon.
For people moving here because they want a little more breathing room and easier access to the outdoors, Springfield deserves serious consideration.
Eugene vs. Springfield: What's the Difference?
This is one of the questions I hear all the time.
There isn't a simple answer because both cities contain many different neighborhoods. Comparing all of Eugene to all of Springfield doesn't really tell you very much.
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon and tends to get more attention nationally. It has a larger downtown, a strong arts and restaurant scene, and some very well-known neighborhoods.
Springfield has historically been the more working-class of the two communities and has a proud history tied to Oregon's timber industry. Over the years, however, Springfield has evolved considerably.
Downtown Springfield has been revitalized, new restaurants and businesses have opened, public art and murals have appeared throughout the city, and areas such as Thurston have become especially attractive to people who want convenient access to outdoor recreation.
And because the cities are adjacent, living in Springfield doesn't mean giving up everything you like about Eugene.
You get to use both cities.
I think that's something people moving here sometimes don't fully appreciate until they arrive.
Springfield's Housing Market
This is where things can get particularly interesting for a home buyer.
Depending on the neighborhood and the type of property you're looking for, Springfield can sometimes offer alternatives to what you're finding in Eugene.
That doesn't mean Springfield is universally inexpensive, and I would never tell a buyer to choose a community solely because of price. Real estate values vary tremendously depending on location, condition, lot size, updates and the individual property.
But when buyers tell me they aren't finding the combination of house, yard, location and price they want in Eugene, Springfield is absolutely one of the places I encourage them to explore.
I've had buyers begin their search convinced they needed a Eugene address and change their minds after actually spending time in Springfield.
That's why I don't like drawing circles around one neighborhood before we've explored what's available.
The Variety of Homes in Springfield
One of the things I enjoy about selling real estate in Springfield is the variety of housing.
Depending on where you look, you'll find:
Historic homes with character
Classic bungalows
Mid-century ranch homes
Traditional suburban neighborhoods
Newer construction
Homes with larger yards
Hillside homes and properties with views
Rural and semi-rural properties just beyond the city
Some neighborhoods feel distinctly suburban, while others feel tucked into the trees or surprisingly close to nature.
For buyers who don't want a cookie-cutter house, there are also plenty of established Springfield neighborhoods where homes have evolved individually over decades.
Downtown Springfield
If your image of downtown Springfield is based on what it looked like 20 years ago, come take another look.
Downtown Springfield has experienced a wonderful transformation.
Historic buildings sit alongside restaurants, coffee shops, breweries and locally owned businesses. Murals and public art have brought color and personality to downtown, and community events bring people into the area throughout the year.
What I particularly like is that it hasn't been transformed into something that feels manufactured.
It still feels like Springfield.
There's history here. There's personality. There are old buildings and independent businesses alongside newer additions.
And because downtown Eugene is only a short drive away, residents effectively have access to two downtowns instead of one.
The Washburne Historic District
One of my favorite areas to show people who appreciate older homes is Springfield's Washburne Historic District.
This neighborhood is filled with historic architecture, mature trees and homes with the kind of individual character you simply can't recreate in a brand-new subdivision.
You'll see porches, established gardens and a wonderful mix of architectural details as you walk through the neighborhood.
For someone who tells me, "I want a house with personality," this is exactly the kind of neighborhood I want them to experience.
Of course, older homes come with their own considerations. Electrical systems, plumbing, foundations, roofs, insulation and previous renovations all deserve careful attention. That's part of my job too—helping buyers look beyond the charm and understand the actual property they're considering.
Thurston
Head east and Springfield begins to feel different again.
Thurston is one of the areas I think deserves its own page eventually, because there is so much to talk about.
It's an established community with schools, shopping, parks and residential neighborhoods, but one of its greatest attractions is its proximity to outdoor recreation.
The Thurston Hills Natural Area has become a fantastic resource for hiking and mountain biking, with miles of trails practically in the neighborhood's backyard.
For buyers who tell me, "I want to be able to get outside after work without driving half an hour," this is the kind of location that gets my attention.
And this is precisely why looking at Springfield simply as "the city next to Eugene" misses so much of what it has to offer.
Restaurants, Coffee & Local Flavor
One of the things I love about the Eugene-Springfield area is how many locally owned restaurants and small businesses we have. Springfield has developed a food scene with a personality of its own, and downtown has become an especially fun place to explore.
Rather than needing to head into Eugene every time you want to go out, Springfield has plenty of places to meet friends for dinner, grab coffee, have breakfast, or spend a relaxed afternoon.
One of the places that really helped change the feeling of downtown Springfield is PublicHouse. Located in a beautifully repurposed former church, PublicHouse brought food, gathering spaces, outdoor seating and a community atmosphere right into downtown. It's the kind of place where you can meet a friend, bring a group, sit outside when the weather is beautiful, and choose from several different food options.
Springfield also has a growing collection of locally owned restaurants, cafés, bakeries, breweries and food carts. And because Eugene is literally next door, living in Springfield gives you easy access to the restaurant scenes in both cities.
That's something I think is easy to overlook when you're researching a move from hundreds of miles away. On a map you see two different city names. Once you live here, you realize how seamlessly the two communities fit together.
Downtown Springfield Has Personality
Downtown Springfield deserves another mention because I think it's one of the biggest surprises for people who haven't visited in a while.
There's a wonderful mix of old and new.
Historic buildings, murals, locally owned businesses, restaurants and gathering spaces have brought new energy downtown without completely erasing its history.
Springfield has also embraced public art. You'll find colorful murals throughout downtown, including some that celebrate the city's connection to The Simpsons. Creator Matt Groening famously used many Oregon place names in the show, and Springfield has had some fun embracing the connection.
I love communities that don't take themselves too seriously, and there's something wonderfully Springfield about that.
Shopping & Everyday Convenience
Springfield is also incredibly practical.
You have grocery stores, home-improvement stores, medical offices, pharmacies, locally owned businesses and major retailers throughout the city. The Gateway area provides access to a large concentration of shopping and services, while neighborhood commercial areas make everyday errands convenient from many parts of Springfield.
And again, because Eugene and Springfield are so connected, residents aren't limited to businesses on one side of an imaginary city line.
If my favorite restaurant happens to be in Eugene and my favorite hardware store is in Springfield, that's simply where I'm going.
That's everyday life here.
Parks, Parks & More Parks
This is an area where Springfield really shines.
Willamalane Park and Recreation District manages an extensive system of parks, recreation facilities, natural areas and trails throughout the community.
For people moving here with an active lifestyle—or simply wanting beautiful places to walk—Springfield offers a tremendous amount of public outdoor space.
You'll find everything from neighborhood playgrounds and sports fields to riverfront parks, wooded natural areas and miles of trails.
Dorris Ranch
Dorris Ranch is one of Springfield's treasures.
It's a historic working filbert—or hazelnut, depending on which Oregonian you're talking to—orchard combined with a beautiful natural area along the Willamette River.
There are miles of walking trails winding through the orchards, wooded areas and river habitat. It's peaceful, beautiful and feels remarkably removed from the city considering how close it is to downtown Springfield.
This is exactly the kind of place I like showing people who are considering moving here because it demonstrates something that's difficult to communicate through real estate listings:
Nature is woven into everyday life here.
You don't always have to drive into the mountains to find it.
Clearwater Park & the Middle Fork Path
Another wonderful Springfield amenity is Clearwater Park and the surrounding trail system.
The Middle Fork Path provides miles of paved trail along the river and connects into a much larger network of paths throughout the Eugene-Springfield area.
It's wonderful for walking, running and cycling, and it's another example of how easy it can be to get outside without making an entire day of it.
You can finish work, get on your bike or put on your walking shoes, and be beside the river in minutes.
Island Park
Island Park sits along the Willamette River very close to downtown Springfield.
It's a beautiful community gathering place with river access, open green space, walking paths and events throughout the year.
I think this is another important part of understanding Springfield. Downtown, historic neighborhoods, parks and the river aren't separated by miles and miles of development. They're remarkably close together.
The Rivers
It's impossible to talk about living in Springfield without talking about the rivers.
The Willamette River and McKenzie River are defining parts of this area.
They provide beautiful scenery as well as opportunities for fishing, paddling, rafting, walking, cycling and simply finding a quiet place beside the water.
The McKenzie River in particular is one of Oregon's great natural treasures. Follow it east from Springfield and you're heading toward some spectacular scenery, waterfalls, hiking, hot springs, campgrounds and the Cascade Mountains.
For someone who wants easy access to the outdoors, Springfield's location at the gateway to the McKenzie River corridor is pretty special.
Hiking & Mountain Biking
If you're a mountain biker, Springfield deserves a serious look.
The Thurston Hills Natural Area has become an increasingly popular destination for mountain biking as well as hiking and trail running.
What I love about this is the accessibility.
This isn't recreation that requires packing the car and driving an hour. For people living in parts of east Springfield and Thurston, excellent trails can be practically in their backyard.
Springfield also puts you within easy reach of Mount Pisgah, the extensive Eugene-Springfield bike path network and countless hiking opportunities as you head east toward the Cascades.
You could live here for years and still have new trails to discover.
Biking Around Eugene & Springfield
People moving from larger cities are often surprised by how extensive our bike infrastructure is.
Eugene and Springfield are connected by a network of paved riverfront paths, neighborhood bikeways and bike lanes that make cycling useful for both recreation and transportation.
You can ride beside the river, commute between communities, take a long recreational ride or simply use your bike to meet a friend.
You don't have to be a serious cyclist to appreciate that.
Sometimes it's just wonderful to be able to get somewhere without getting into the car.
Splash! at Lively Park
Families—and plenty of adults—also enjoy Splash! at Lively Park, one of Willamalane's recreation facilities in east Springfield.
The indoor wave pool makes it possible to swim and play regardless of Oregon's winter weather, and the surrounding Lively Park provides additional recreation opportunities.
This is another thing I appreciate about Springfield: outdoor recreation gets a lot of attention, but there are also community facilities that make it possible to stay active throughout the year.
Recreation for Every Age
Between Willamalane facilities, neighborhood parks, sports programs, pools, trails and natural areas, Springfield offers recreational opportunities for people at practically every stage of life.
You don't have to be someone who climbs mountains every weekend to benefit from living in an outdoors-oriented community.
Maybe your version of recreation is walking the dog along the river.
Maybe it's gardening.
Maybe it's riding a bike.
Maybe it's taking the grandkids to a park.
Maybe it's mountain biking after work.
The beauty of this area is that there are so many ways to participate.
A Gateway to the Cascades
One of Springfield's greatest location advantages is what lies immediately to the east.
Follow Highway 126 along the McKenzie River and the landscape quickly changes as you head toward the Cascade Mountains.
Hiking, waterfalls, mountain biking, fishing, rafting, camping, hot springs and spectacular scenery are all within reach.
Continue farther and you can reach Central Oregon and Bend.
Head west instead and you're eventually at the Oregon Coast.
That's one of the things I love about living in Lane County. You don't have to choose between having restaurants, healthcare, shopping and community amenities or having access to nature.
We get both.
Springfield Is Dog-Friendly, Too
If you have a dog, you'll fit right in.
Between neighborhood parks, trails, river paths and natural areas, there are countless places to walk and explore. You'll see dogs everywhere—walking through neighborhoods, joining their people on trails, hanging out at outdoor gathering spaces and exploring the river paths.
For many of us, where we're going to walk the dog is an important part of choosing where we live!
Community Events & Gathering Places
One of the things that makes a community feel like home isn't something you'll find on a real estate data sheet.
It's the places where people gather.
Springfield has community events, outdoor concerts, recreation programs, markets and celebrations throughout the year. Downtown events have also helped bring more people into the heart of the city.
These things matter.
A community isn't just its housing inventory, median sales price and commute time.
It's where you run into someone you know at the grocery store.
It's the trail you walk every morning.
It's your favorite coffee shop.
It's the park where you take your dog.
It's knowing where to get dinner when you don't feel like cooking.
That's what actually makes a place feel like home.
One of Springfield's Biggest Advantages: You Get Eugene, Too
I think this deserves repeating because it's one of the most important things for relocation buyers to understand.
Choosing Springfield doesn't mean choosing against Eugene.
You still have incredibly easy access to the University of Oregon, Hayward Field, the Hult Center, Eugene's restaurants, the Saturday Market, museums, theaters, shopping and everything else happening across the river.
And someone living in Eugene has equally easy access to Springfield's restaurants, parks, trails and recreation.
I really think of Eugene and Springfield as two distinct communities that share one lifestyle.
Each has its own personality.
And that's why I encourage buyers to experience both.