Anyone else feel this way? I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $2,499 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
10 upvotes
22 Replies
Jameson M.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
40 upvotes
Lydia M.
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
William Moore
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
38 upvotes
Gabriel Baker
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
elizabeth_lover
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Lily R.
accurate
32 upvotes
Levi Rogers
I'm a software engineer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
Robert R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
31 upvotes
Benjamin G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
29 upvotes
Aria Morales
thanks for sharing
29 upvotes
Joseph H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Gabriella Hernandez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
25 upvotes
Madelyn Foster
been saying this for years
19 upvotes
tampa_connor
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The healthcare is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Abigail R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 48, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
19 upvotes
Quinn Jackson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Austin it's surprisingly good.
18 upvotes
Isaiah Morris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Connor A.
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Asian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
6 upvotes
Theodore Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 12 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are excellent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Sebastian Bailey
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Carter Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Portland about 2 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Betty A.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- The walkability scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
All Countries
