Been meaning to ask this. It's a a smaller city city with about 55,888 people. Homes are going for about $286,000 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
1 upvotes
27 Replies
Aurora Flores
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Adeline
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Grayson Wilson
spot on
39 upvotes
Waylon Martinez
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Brooklyn
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
37 upvotes
Sophie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 57, moved here 3 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
36 upvotes
Elizabeth C.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
happy_olivia93
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Matthew Garcia
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The school system is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Joshua Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
born_zoe41
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 35, moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Charlotte, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
30 upvotes
Mackenzie Ward
been saying this for years
30 upvotes
Cameron Ramos
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Atlanta it's hit or miss.
27 upvotes
Kathleen L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Jameson F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 15 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. 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. Westside schools are hit or miss. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Adeline Thomas
I've lived in South for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Luca Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 35, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Sunset and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
22 upvotes
Mason J.
couldn't agree more
22 upvotes
Wyatt Baker
preach
21 upvotes
Caroline Reyes
nah I disagree
21 upvotes
Ariana Brown
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The food scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Marilyn C.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
13 upvotes
Leonardo Scott
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is challenging in most areas.
5 upvotes
Ellie H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Roman N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 6 years. Moved from Dallas for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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 better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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