So, My partner and I are Median household income is $51,811, which feels on the lower side for the area. Rent is about $1,065/month for a decent place. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
17 upvotes
29 Replies
Riley Price
been saying this for years
40 upvotes
Jonathan Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 11 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails 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 challenging. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Eliana E.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
39 upvotes
Logan Adams
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
34 upvotes
Genesis Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Elena Lewis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is decent in most areas.
32 upvotes
Victoria Ramos
following this thread
31 upvotes
Arianna M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 32, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
31 upvotes
Silas Cruz
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Indian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
31 upvotes
Connor R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Robert Young
yep
28 upvotes
Robert R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is solid in most areas.
28 upvotes
Elena
thanks for sharing
27 upvotes
Peyton Anderson
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Zoey Ramos
not my experience at all
24 upvotes
Rylee Clark
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
24 upvotes
Kinsley Turner
seconding this
24 upvotes
Nathan Howard
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
native_easton54
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 54, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
23 upvotes
portland_cameron
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
22 upvotes
Leah Wright
great question, following
22 upvotes
Connor Reyes
great question, following
18 upvotes
Carter M.
lol so true
14 upvotes
Ryan Smith
I've lived in Oak Park for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Ian T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Bennett Ramirez
I'm a electrician and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Olivia R.
glad someone said it
7 upvotes
Brooklyn H.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
3 upvotes
Sofia Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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