Springfield, OH

Springfield, founded in 1801 by James Demint — a teamster from Kentucky — was named after Springfield, Mass. During the mid- to late-19th century, the rich industrialists dominated the city, building prominent homes and massive buildings. Working-class families migrated to Springfield shortly after, and by the early-1900s, several automobile companies operated out of Springfield. Springfield’s industrial and agricultural industries remained the city’s backbone until the early-21st century, when the city’s health care industry started to expand.

Springfield has a thriving arts and culture scene. Residents visit the Clark State Performing Arts Center and the Springfield Civic Theatre for live performances, and the city houses several art galleries, including the Springfield Museum of Art and the Heritage Center of Clark County. Each year, Springfield hosts CultureFest, a free public festival that features local choirs, bands and storytellers. The annual Summer Arts Festival showcases a variety of free art exhibits, performances and concerts.

The majority of Springfield’s restaurants sit along the city’s major thoroughfares: state routes 68, 40 and 72. With fast-food, chain and family-style restaurants, with favorites serving Italian and Mexican cuisine, residents have access to a wide variety of dining options.

Collier’s Family Restaurant on West First Street serves breakfast daily until 2 p.m., and lunch and dinner the rest of the day. It features an extensive menu of made-from-scratch, home-style food, including fried chicken, steak and deep-fried fish. Regulars rave about the restaurant’s homemade pies, creamy cheddar broccoli soup and biscuits and gravy, with sides of homemade maple sausage and well-done home fries. Every Friday, Collier’s features all-you-can eat fried fish, when crowds gather to enjoy bountiful platters of not only the fish, but fries, coleslaw and some of the best hush puppies in town.

For pizza, visit Bada Bing Pizzeria, a locally owned pizza joint on West Harding Road. The pizzeria serves full pies and pizza by the slice, and features several specialty pizzas, such as da boss and the vampire Slayer. Locals rave about the garlic knots and bread wedges, which are covered in cheese and topped with garlic butter.

Dark, wood-paneled walls, intimate booth seating and dimmed lighting makes Hickory Inn on North Limestone Street an excellent choice for a casual date night. The extensive menu includes everything from a hot-wing salad topped with crumbled bleu cheese and amazing reubens to pork chops with Cajun seasoning and pizza made with wheat crust.

Springfield’s nightlife consists of a mixture of pubs, sports bars and dive bars. A few local favorites include Station 1 on North Fountain Avenue, McMurry’s Irish Pub on East College Avenue and Eastwood American Grill & Tavern on East National Road. Instates 70 and 675 make it easy for Springfield residents to visit the bars, dance clubs and music venues in Downtown Dayton’s Oregon district when the night calls for mingling with larger crowds.

Even though Springfield has a public bus system, operated by the Springfield City Area Transit, the city spans a lot of ground, so residents remain mostly dependent on cars. Most locals drive their own vehicles, because direct access to Instate 70 and state routes 40, 68 and 72 make the area easy to navigate. Residents also enjoy ample free parking everywhere except downtown Springfield, which has metered parking. With several busy roads without bike lanes and large, open areas, Springfield isn’t pedestrian or biker friendly. Also, you can’t hail a cab in Springfield, and Uber isn’t an option. If you need a ride, you have to call a local cab company to schedule it.

Springfield houses numerous free public parks ideal for families, pet owners and exercise enthusiasts. Wiggly Field, located in Old Reid Park on Pumphouse Road, is an off-leash dog park filled with trees and lush green areas. It features two separate sections, one for large dogs and one for small dogs, to keep the dogs safe. When your dog finishes his off-leash time, put him on his leash and walk him around the pond. Parents take their little ones to Davey Moore Park on South Western Avenue, which features two large playgrounds and a basketball court, or the playground at Moorefield Family Park on Moorefield Road.

Known as Springfield’s version of Central Park, Snyder Park sits only a few blocks away from downtown Springfield. The park spans more than 200 acres of land and features a playground and water-play area to occupy the kids, in addition to a golf course, a soccer field and several picnic areas and hiking trails.

Buck Creek State Park on Buck Creek Lane features disc golf, fishing, hunting and boating. The park has a man-made beach area along the shores of the lake, where visitors go for a swim or to catch a few rays. Each year, Buck Creek State Park hosts a fall festival that includes special fall-themed events each weekend, and the popular Buck Creek Halloween Campout.

The cost of living in Springfield sits about 1 percent higher than Dayton’s and 7 percent lower than Columbus’s cost of living. Residents expect to pay approximately $490 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, between $3 and $5 for a beer and 75 cents for bus fare. Typically, gas prices sit around 9 percent lower than the national average.

You don't find upscale shops in Springfield, but a wide range of chain stores sit along State Route 68 and the Upper Valley Mall on Upper Valley Pike houses several department stores. Store options include everything from Walmart and Target to Macy's and JC Penny.

If you enjoy antique shopping, Springfield has several options. The Heart of Ohio Antique Center, Springfield Antique Center and Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market all feature numerous vendors specializing in antique furniture and one-of-a-kind household items. The Home Again General Store on North Bechtle Avenue specializes in vintage home goods. The massive consignment shop sells a huge selection of furniture, collectibles and gifts, including Longeberger baskets and Boyd's Bears.

Brookhaven of Springfield specializes in used books. The store, located on Commerce Road, has an extensive collection books from all genres. Ollie's Bargain Outlet on Upper Valley Pike also has a wide variety of used books, but the store's seasonal blow-out sales and continually rotating stock keep customers returning. According to the locals, you rarely see the same thing twice at Ollie's.

Several grocery stores service the Springfield area, including Kroger, Meijer, Walmart and ALDI. Gill's Quality Meat Market on Selma Road specializes in high-quality cuts of meat. The locally owned market also takes special orders. Residents purchase fresh produce from Harmony Farm Market, a seasonal farmers market on East National Road. Drive to nearby Yellow Springs for homemade cider and baked goods at Peifer Orchards or organic fruit, dairy goods and jams at Yellow Springs Farmers Market.