The pessimistic view of Springfield by its own residents is finally giving way to a better view of the city.

That's more than just a cosmetic change. It will encourage more of the can-do attitude that can lead to success breeding more success, as people believe good things can happen as opposed to assuming they won't.

Good things are already happening in Springfield with expansion of business, tourism and culture. A Western New England University poll shows a markedly better outlook by Springfield residents than they had in 2010, the last time a similar survey was taken.

Residents who saw public safety as the city's greatest problem dropped from 60 percent in the 2010 poll to 41 percent today. They still consider it of primary importance.

Asked to rate Springfield overall, 56 percent called the city excellent or good, up 12 percent from eight years ago. Nearly three in four rated their own neighborhoods as excellent to good, and fewer than one in 10 rated theirs as poor.

These are significant numbers as the seven-year anniversary of the June 1, 2010 tornado nears. Plagued by a flagging economy and beset by the problems facing all urban centers in the 21st Century, Springfield was jarred into action by necessity and the momentum from that response is carrying the city into a new age.

Over the years, business people have noted that the opinion of Springfield was more flattering from outside the community than within. That's common. A city sees its own flaws and problems first-hand and on an everyday basis and often, local residents becomes their own city's harshest critics.

The WNEU poll results do not say the city is without challenges and problems. It does reflect the view that Springfield is improving. It's impossible to look at what is happening culturally and economically and reach that conclusion.

The pain and problems caused by the 2011 tornado was certainly one Springfield residents and those in surrounding communities wish they could have avoided. But history will view it as a turning point. The response within the city was telling, and it speaks to the resilience for which Springfield has always been known.

And at last, the belief of better days and a growing city is resonating from within. Springfield has never been as bad as the naysayers have said, but now, finally, more people are feeling good about knowing the city is in the process of being better than it's been.