Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and It's a a smaller city city with about 25,458 people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Worth the trade-offs? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
24 upvotes
12 Replies
Sadie Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 52, moved here 3 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Riverside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
39 upvotes
Isabella Baker
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Everett Adams
I work in government here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Alexa Perez
Moved here from Seattle about 12 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Ellie
glad someone said it
14 upvotes
Angel Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Harper Thompson
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
minneapolis_violet
interesting, hadn't considered that
8 upvotes
Lydia
yep
7 upvotes
Grace Hill
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Southern places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
5 upvotes
Willow Gonzalez
Saving this thread
1 upvotes
Carson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 12 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
