Springfield is one of America's best cities to live because of it's amazing culture, recreation and history. Here are some of the areas highlights to consider when it comes time to familiarize yourself with the city.

Springfield is widely referred to as The Cultural Center of the Ozarks. It was recently ranked in the top 100 "Best Communities for Young People" for it's third straight year by America's Promise Alliance. The city has everything to offer a young couple or new family without coming at gold bullion prices. Public spaces, parks and trails and historic sites all envelope the downtown core and make for active and entertaining weekends for everyone.

The city's heritage and culture are deeply rooted in America's Wild West era past. Springfield's town square was home of the nation's first recorded quick-draw duel between Davis Tutt Jr. and Wild Bill Hickok. The site is a city attraction with the exact location marked with brass plaques.

A major rejuvenation project is well underway in the city. The Jordan Valley Park and Mediacom Ice Park both opened in 2001. There has also been significant, recent growth and expansion of downtown urban spaces through infrastructure stimulus programs such as generous research and development tax credits to many local small businesses.

Springfield is also home to a number of popular convention centers and event venues that play host to parties, trade conferences, electronics or food product launches and the like. The city's historic venues and theaters, such as the Landers and Gillioz Theaters, have all been restored and are now open as they were in their original states.

Another recent addition to the city is the Creamery Arts Center, which is city owned and located in Jordan Valley Park. Be sure to take in a performance by the Springfield Regional Opera, Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Ballet there. You can attend classes there in anything from Spanish dance to faux painting. Schools throughout the city also offer adult classes, ranging from computer programming to photography, for credit or personal interest.

The city has some amazing shopping for all tastes and needs. As you get to know the city's communities, you will be able to identify where to find everything you need for your new home. Decor for the home, custom murals and words for walls, fine furniture, appliances and electronics are all available at retailers throughout the city, department and box stores in the surrounding areas.

Springfield was recently ranked one of the top "Next Cities" by Next Generation Consulting and "Best Performing City" for sustaining jobs by the Milken Institute. The magazine Expansion Management credit Springfield as being among the ""Best Mid-Sized Metros for Recruitment and Attraction" and Worlwide ERC called it one of the "The Best Cities for Relocating Families"