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Metro Center

Metro Center

$183,442 Average Value
$157 Average Price per Sq Ft
14 Homes For Sale
The Connecticut River runs alongside Metro Center in downtown Springfield.
The Connecticut River runs alongside Metro Center in downtown Springfield.

Metro Center appeals to buyers who prefer an active urban lifestyle

Abuzz with museums, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, Metro Center is the beating heart of downtown Springfield. Walkable streets lead past historic brick architecture and lantern-style streetlights. Condos offer low-maintenance living, and in contrast to cities like Boston, where downtown properties usually sell at a premium, home sale prices here often land well below the citywide median. The Connecticut River runs along the border with waterside paths for walking and biking, and public transit connects residents to the rest of the city.

Museums, entertainment venues and a casino keep Metro Center hopping

Metro Center is home to some of the city’s premier cultural destinations. When you live here, you’ll enjoy proximity to these hot spots:

  • Springfield Armory National Historic Site, which has the country’s biggest collection of historic U.S. military small arms
  • Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, a playful tribute to Springfield native Theodor Seuss Geisel
  • MassMutual Center, an arena that hosts the Thunderbirds hockey team, concerts and public conventions
  • Symphony Hall, where you can take in performances by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and other live entertainment
  • MGM Springfield, a luxury resort and casino with high-end restaurants and a solid lineup of live events
The Seuss sculpture garden is tucked into the Quadrangle, a cultural complex where you’ll find several museums, along with the main branch of the Springfield Public Library.

MGM Springfield is a local favorite for gamblers and thrill-seekers in Metro Center.
MGM Springfield is a local favorite for gamblers and thrill-seekers in Metro Center.
Springfield Armory National Historic Site is a popular attraction in Metro Center.
Springfield Armory National Historic Site is a popular attraction in Metro Center.
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Historic condo buildings define Metro Center’s housing market

Condos dominate the housing market in Metro Center, and most residents rent. Many units occupy Italianate and Victorian buildings built in the early 1900s. The Kimball Towers, a local landmark with a marble staircase, wrought-iron detailing and a grand lobby, is one notable example. The neighborhood’s median home sale price is just under $100,000 — roughly one-third the citywide median. Sale prices typically range from around $60,000 to the upper $200,000s for small condos. Whole multifamily properties generally sell from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$500,000s.

Downtown Springfield offers condo living.
Downtown Springfield offers condo living.
Downtown Springfield has many historic buildings with residential apartments tucked within.
Downtown Springfield has many historic buildings with residential apartments tucked within.
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Metro Center is highly walkable, with ample public transit options

Many people wonder if they’ll need a car when they live in Metro Center. According to Richard Lovely, it’s possible to get around without one. “Transit? Easy,” says the owner of Live Lovely Realty, who has about a decade of real estate experience. “Main Street has a ton of bus lines, but you can walk most anywhere, too.” Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses run through the neighborhood, with Springfield’s Union Station as the main hub. Union Station also supports longer trips with Amtrak service and intercity bus lines like Peter Pan and Greyhound. The Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway provides a scenic route for pedestrians and cyclists. If you drive, interstates 91 and 291 connect near the river for travel throughout the region.

People board a PVTA bus in downtown Springfield.
People board a PVTA bus in downtown Springfield.
A pedestrian bridge connects a hotel and office building to shops and restaurants in Metro Center.
A pedestrian bridge connects a hotel and office building to shops and restaurants in Metro Center.
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Dining and drinking options are abundant

Metro Center’s commercial streets offer an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and cafes. A few standouts include:

  • Nosh | Cafè and Restaurant, a breakfast and lunch spot with creative paninis and grain bowls
  • Student Prince and The Fort, serving schnitzel, bratwurst and draft beer
  • The Mamou, dishing up Cajun and Creole specialties
  • Theodore’s Blues, Booze, & BBQ, a quirky joint where you can enjoy blues music over brisket and burnt ends
  • Red Rose Pizzeria, a family-owned eatery known for its pizza, pasta and salads
“Red Rose Pizzeria is the absolute best ever,” Lovely says. “It’s a mom-and-pop right outside the casino that’s had the same owners forever and has delicious food, everyone knows it . . . and there are countless more restaurants and cafes right on the Main Street strip.”

Metro Center has many restaurants along the Main Street strip.
Metro Center has many restaurants along the Main Street strip.
People hang out in Nosh's colorful dining area in Metro Center.
People hang out in Nosh's colorful dining area in Metro Center.
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Daily essentials, fitness centers and health care are close to home

The neighborhood’s walkability and access to public transit keep everyday amenities within reach. You can shop for groceries at spots like AAZ Cash & Carry and pick up prescriptions at CVS. Several fitness centers, including the YMCA of Greater Springfield, are available for daily workouts. And Mercy Medical Center is just on the other side of I-291, offering emergency and outpatient care.

Local students have public, private and college pathways

Families are served by Springfield Public Schools, which uses a choice system that allows students to apply to schools throughout the district. For younger students, Milton Bradley Elementary is located just east of Metro Center. Also nearby is the High School of Commerce, offering career pathways and an International Baccalaureate program. Private options include Springfield Commonwealth Academy, a coed boarding and day school serving grades 6 through 12 that's rated A-plus by Niche.

Metro Center is home to Springfield Technical Community College, where students can earn associate degrees in fields like manufacturing technology, business and software development.

The High School of Commerce is a public school near Metro Center.
The High School of Commerce is a public school near Metro Center.
Springfield Technical Community College is located in Metro Center.
Springfield Technical Community College is located in Metro Center.
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Comparing Metro Center to nearby neighborhoods

Choosing between Metro Center and other Springfield neighborhoods largely comes down to lifestyle preferences. If you’re looking for a walkable urban lifestyle near restaurants, museums and employment centers, Metro Center fits the bill. If you’d prefer a single-family home to a condo but want to stay close to the downtown area, you can check out Forest Park, which surrounds the city’s largest green space. Buyers seeking a suburban setting with more yard space might consider communities like Pine Point or Sixteen Acres, which are farther east.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Ed Messenger
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
Ruo Zheng
Video By
Ruo Zheng

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Bradley International

31 min drive

Bus

Maple & High

Bus

Worthington & Spring (1)

Bus

Springfield (Mgm Grand)

Bus

Springfield Library

Bus

Springfield Post Office

Bus

Springfield Union Station

Bus

State / Federal

Reviews

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Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
476
Number of Homes for Sale
14
Median Year Built
1910
Months of Supply
9.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,183
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,953
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,132
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
666
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
719
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
9
Median Rent
$1,825
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,200
Median Condo Rent
$1,800
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,650

Demographics

Total Population
7,536
Median Age
38
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$18,555
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$38,242

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
72.2%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
18.5%
Advanced Degrees
7.5%
% Population in Labor Force
48%
Below the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
27''

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Exceptionally walkable

Walkability®

90 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

70 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Metro Center