Anyone else feel this way? I'm single, late 50s, and Household incomes average around $85,964 in Brooklyn Park. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Appreciate any input. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
19 upvotes
27 Replies
Axel Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Piper R.
glad someone said it
38 upvotes
Alexa K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Harper F.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Ava Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Piper B.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The healthcare is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Brielle Murphy
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Piper Bailey
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The nightlife is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Liam Peterson
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Eastside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Serenity
I work in engineering here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is decent. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Katherine Ortiz
glad someone said it
25 upvotes
Robert Green
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Austin it's improving.
22 upvotes
portland_kai
good to know, thanks
20 upvotes
Hunter Ramirez
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
20 upvotes
Ryan O.
big facts right here
17 upvotes
desert_mackenzie22
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Luke Flores
preach
15 upvotes
Emma Young
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Kayden F.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much manageable but now it's challenging.
12 upvotes
Bennett Hughes
nah I disagree
12 upvotes
Ian Hill
I've lived in Greenfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Cooper White
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Camila Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 10 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are improving. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Miles Richardson
same here
8 upvotes
Sophia Anderson
I've lived in Highland for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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