Hey everyone, I'm a 52-year-old firefighter and The unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is about average. The median home value here is around $133,400, which is actually reasonable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Any advice would be great. Any help is appreciated. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
11 upvotes
8 Replies
Hannah S.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much competitive but now it's hit or miss.
40 upvotes
Abigail H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Boston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Olivia Allen
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Liam P.
couldn't agree more
24 upvotes
Everly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
sarah_heart
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Zoe Thomas
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much established but now it's underrated.
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