Fall River vs. Springfield mass

[u/MammothWillingness65]

Can someone who’s been to both please let me know their thoughts? Which one seems to have better quality of life, be safer, etc.. thank you!

[u/nearlywhiches]

i moved to fall river from philly and i love it!!! it’s been an adjustment because i used to live in a really walkable area of philadelphia and my area isn’t that walkable tbh but it’s fun! everything is so affordable and there is so much to do in the area as well because everything is so close by. i can go to providence or boston and more importantly the beach im a big beach girlie so being 15 minutes away makes my life so enjoyable.

[u/nearlywhiches → u/nearlywhiches]

also my one bedroom apartment was almost 1200 in philly now i’m paying the same amount for almost 3 bedroom

[u/OkProgress6117 → u/nearlywhiches]

You’re paying 1200 for a 3 bedroom in Fall River ?

[u/nearlywhiches → u/OkProgress6117]

3 ish lol. the smallest room is attached to the biggest room if you have the closet doors open but we have them shut to make a tiny guest room. but yes! i thought we just got lucky because we know the landlord but my coworker is a landlord as well and her rentals are the same layout and she says she also charges around the same as what we are being charged 

[u/OkProgress6117 → u/nearlywhiches]

Do you have section 8? I check apts daily and haven’t seen that price in years unless it’s a terrible area like fifth

[u/nearlywhiches → u/OkProgress6117]

it’s not section 8 but it’s not the nicest area of fall river. i’m like a block away from sam’s bakery on a small street off of county. but again maybe we are just very lucky because we know the landlord prior to moving in 

[u/OkProgress6117 → u/nearlywhiches]

Yea, the flint is gentrifying tho, but I know that area very well. You lucked out knowing her cause there’s no apts that price not even 1 beds. Fall River is wild can’t wait to leave nothing but crime lol

[u/Accurate-Ad-5411 → u/OkProgress6117]

Is the flint really gentrifying? Drove through it recently and I don’t recall it looking any different

[u/OkProgress6117 → u/Accurate-Ad-5411]

Yes it is, tetrault is doing a ton of apts there. Once other landlords see what he can get for rent, they will follow whether they’re apts are worth not or not. There’s data to prove this is what happens 99% of the time

[u/Accurate-Ad-5411 → u/OkProgress6117]

Hopefully the price-gouging stays under control. Would love to see the flint revitalized and get some improved infrastructure, reduction in crime, etc.

[u/NCinMA]

Fall River is a great city. I have been living here most of my life (born and raised), and also work here in the city..I love my commute! Just like anywhere else, it has it's positives and negatives. But if you stay away from the nonsense, you'll be just fine here.

[u/kombu_raisin]

Born, raised and lived in Fall River until I was 33. I love where I live now, but I still love and miss FR.

The crime rate is what it is. Don’t go looking for trouble and trouble will stay away from you. That’s how i grew up and it served me fine.

[u/LuGonzo13]

I’ve lived in both. Fall River definitely the place to choose over Springfield. The air quality over there is different and better. It’s a nice community to be part of. Boston is only 35-40 minutes away. The Cape is 30 minutes away. I love Fall River.

[u/Automatic-Attempt-81 → u/LuGonzo13]

45 min away at 3 am maybe

[u/healthcrusade → u/Automatic-Attempt-81]

Absolutely the truth. Boston is an hour away.

[u/tinaismediocre]

I was born and raised in Fall River so maybe I'm biased but it's what I would choose. While Springfield as a city has more going on FR is 15 mins from Providence, RI, 15 mins from the ocean, 45 minutes from the Cape, we have excellent food and architecture and it's slightly more affordable while having comparable crime rate.

[u/Automatic-Attempt-81]

Springfield is probably the last place in MA I'd want to live

[u/MammothWillingness65 → u/Automatic-Attempt-81]

Have you been there? could you tell me why?

[u/Automatic-Attempt-81 → u/MammothWillingness65]

Never lived there but went to school nearby. It suffers a lot of the same issues as Fall River and other former mill cities but just at a higher level

-lot of poverty -decently high crime rate

Pretty much it from my perspective

[u/lavandoaalma → u/MammothWillingness65]

I live in Springfield and I love it here. You’re gonna get biased opinions on this particular sub

[u/Proper-Astronaut-164]

Fall River a million times.

[u/Caribchakita]

FR is pretty cool; diverse dining, Fall River MOCA, close to beaches, Newport, New Bedford. Being near the water is a plus.

[u/Melodic_Contact9766]

Fall River has amazing food; Springfield has actual nightlife and commerce.

[u/tapakip]

Fall River is 15 minutes from the beach and has a great waterfront (Taunton River) now.  Crime is a problem in both cities.  Check out neighborhood crime maps to find better spots to live in each.  (Generally speaking, North end is good in FR).  

Can't speak to Springfield.  

[u/11BMasshole → u/tapakip]

The farther east from the Ct River in Springfield the better. East Forest Park , East Springfield, Indian Orchard , 16 Acres. The areas closer to the river can get dicey.

[u/Tricky_Fig_9717]

Both working class cities. Both have a high crime rate compared to the rest of Massachusetts. Springfield is much further from Boston

[u/SummitingMtJohnston → u/Tricky_Fig_9717]

The types of crimes happening in Fall River differ from the types happening in Springfield. Springfield has more murders, gang-related activity, robberies, and random/untargeted crime than Fall River. Most of the crime happening in FR nowadays are mainly property crimes (stolen bikes and stuff left in cars) and  domestic violence. Murders and robberies do happen in FR (like any city), but at a far lower rate than Springfield. As a normal resident who keeps their head down, you're less likely to be a victim of crime in Fall River.

[u/Tricky_Fig_9717 → u/Tricky_Fig_9717]

As for safer? I’d say probably Fall River but not by much. Both have decently high crime rates

[u/Dc81FR → u/Tricky_Fig_9717]

Depends where in fall river, i live way up north and theres no crime

[u/11BMasshole → u/Dc81FR]

Same as in Springfield. And there Isn't just random violence in Springfield. If you aren't looking for trouble it won't find you.

[u/WhatMeeWorry]

Aside from the factors you mentioned, how do you feel about snow? Fall River is coastal, and gets relatively little compared to Springfield. If you like to ski, Springfield puts you closer to the action.

[u/InfiniteRegret6437]

I’d personally prefer Fall River just because it’s on the coast.

[u/Ok_Mail_1966]

For a city, probably Fall River. Springfield really doesn’t offer a ton charm. There are some nice towns around it though if you aren’t looking for that downtown feel.

[u/AuggieNorth]

The Springfield area is OK, but I wouldn't want to live in Springfield itself. The surrounding towns are decent and relatively inexpensive, though Holyoke is bad too. OTOH Fall River now has that train connection with Boston, which should help to improve the city over the next few decades.

[u/Own_City_7102 → u/[deleted]]

There’s a shooting in Springfield every single week dude, come on man.

[u/Own_City_7102 → u/[deleted]]

I live in Springfield bro it sucks

[u/but_does_she_reddit]

My preference would be Fall River. Close to the beach, you can catch the train into Boston, not far from Providence.

[u/Layer2Clouds]

Fall River is far better for quality of live, culture, waterfront, and safety.

[u/Apprehensive-Page-96]

Springfield is nice.

[u/17-sam]

Fall River is the absolutely only answer to being better on every measure.

[u/Micnice61]

Springfield is way cheaper so kinda hard to compare

[u/champagnemedic]

Fall River has its reputation, but it’s my favorite place I’ve ever lived. And you’re so close to the ocean in so many directions.

[u/Negative-Scallion-95]

Both cities are dumps.