Population:
154,341
Nearby large cities:
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Boston; Hartford, Conn.
What $300,000 will buy:
3-bedroom, 3.5-bath brick colonial with hardwood floors in Forest Park
Geisel’s spirit can also be felt in nearby Forest Park. As a child, Geisel frequently visited the park’s small zoo with his father (who later became the park’s superintendent), and its inhabitants inspired some of his animal characters. The 745-acre park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York’s Central Park.
The surrounding neighborhoods, Forest Park, East Forest Park and 16 Acres, feature a variety of single-family houses, including colonial and Tudor-style homes from the 1920s. Prices range from about $150,000 to $300,000.
Springfield has struggled with urban decay and crime since many of its heavy-equipment manufacturing companies moved to the South or overseas. But the city has made a concerted effort to tackle those problems, says Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. An MGM Casino is scheduled to open next year in the city’s South End; the project will include more than 55,000 square feet of retail and dining establishments, as well as new residences. The city has also increased its police force and placed a strong emphasis on community policing.
One thing Springfield can’t change is its weather. This is New England, after all, and it gets cold in the winter. But it’s easy to escape to warmer climes. Bradley International Airport, in Windsor Locks, Conn., is just 25 minutes away. And residents don’t need to get on I-90 to Boston to get good health care. Baystate Medical Center, a training center for the University of Massachusetts Medical School–Bay State, has 716 beds and more than 1,100 staff physicians.
Massachusetts doesn’t tax Social Security benefits or government pension income, but all other income is taxed at a flat rate of 5.1%. Estates valued at more than $1 million may be subject to an estate tax. The median property tax in Hampden County, where Springfield is located, is $3,152.
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457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits for state and local government workers in 2025. That's good news for state and local government employees.
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Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to KnowMedicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
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The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkidsinheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
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SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2025SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $70,000 in 2025, up from $69,000 in 2024.
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Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
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SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2025simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2025. Workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,500 or $20,000 if 50 or over and $21,750 if 60-63.
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457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
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Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2025retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2025 increased, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
