Longtime lurker here, You can expect to pay around $1,878 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 48,547 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
24 upvotes
25 Replies
Silas Lewis
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Indian places. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
Adeline White
great question, following
39 upvotes
Colton R.
this is the way
35 upvotes
Kinsley
it depends on the neighborhood
35 upvotes
Ava M.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Isaac Gutierrez
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
33 upvotes
Nolan H.
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Charlotte Moore
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The food scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Everett Scott
+1
32 upvotes
Matthew Evans
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
31 upvotes
houston_jordan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 30, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in The Heights and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
24 upvotes
Riley M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Cameron Green
seconding this
21 upvotes
Bella Jackson
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.
20 upvotes
Autumn Taylor
couldn't agree more
19 upvotes
Liam Alvarez
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
Kayden C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely solid and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
16 upvotes
Charlotte
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Olivia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Baltimore for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. South schools are surprisingly good. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Grayson
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The housing market is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Alice R.
spot on
12 upvotes
Waylon B.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Axel Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 13 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Greenfield schools are surprisingly good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Hunter Kim
yeah no that's not right
5 upvotes
Ryan Baker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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