Springfield's housing stock reflects its dual identity as a county seat and a growing Savannah-area suburb. The city contains established single-family homes near its historic center, alongside newer subdivisions that have been developed to accommodate Effingham County's growth. Homes are predominantly owner-occupied, and buyers can find a mix of in-town houses on established streets and newer construction on larger lots at the edges. The market tends to be more attainable than Savannah's core, appealing to families and commuters seeking space and value within a short drive of the coast.

Springfield is organized around its county-seat center, where government offices, the historic school site, and older homes anchor the community. Around that core, newer residential subdivisions have spread along the Route 21 corridor and the county's rural roads, reflecting the area's growth. The city does not have the dense, urban neighborhoods of Savannah; instead, it offers a mix of established in-town streets and suburban developments, with open farmland and pine woods still visible nearby. This structure gives Springfield a small-town feel with expanding housing options.

Life in Springfield blends small-town rhythm with convenient access to a growing metro region. The city's county government offices, schools, churches, and community events anchor daily life, while residents look to nearby Rincon and Pooler for retail and to Savannah for dining, culture, and entertainment. The surrounding Effingham County countryside offers rural recreation, and the coast—Tybee Island's beaches and the Savannah waterfront—is within a manageable drive. It is a community-oriented lifestyle with the amenities of the Savannah area close at hand.

Springfield is served by the Effingham County School District, a countywide system whose roots reach back to the establishment of a county board of education in 1871. The district operates schools across Effingham County, serving Springfield and the surrounding communities from early grades through high school. Springfield's educational history also includes Springfield Central High School, completed in 1956 and now commemorated with a Georgia Historical Society marker on the state's Civil Rights Trail. For higher education, Savannah State University, Georgia Southern University's Armstrong campus, and other regional institutions are within commuting distance.

Springfield sits on State Route 21, a four-lane highway that connects the Savannah area with Springfield and Sylvania, providing the city's principal link to the coast and the Port of Savannah. The Effingham Parkway, a new corridor designed to ease traffic on Route 21, gives commuters an alternate route toward Savannah and Chatham County. By car, Springfield is within roughly a half-hour of Savannah and its airport, and Interstate 95 is reachable to the east via connecting routes. Commuting is car-based, consistent with the region's layout.

Recreation in Springfield centers on community parks, school athletics, and the surrounding Effingham County countryside, which offers hunting, fishing, and rural outdoor space. The city's location places Savannah's historic district, waterfront, and coastal attractions—including Tybee Island's beaches—within an easy drive, while the nearby Savannah National Wildlife Refuge provides trails and wildlife viewing. For residents, Springfield offers a quiet home base with the recreational opportunities of the Georgia coast close by.