Hey, Poverty rate is 9.2%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Should I be concerned?
20 upvotes
27 Replies
Jace Brooks
I've lived in Greenfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
- The public transit scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Chloe Jones
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Henry Baker
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
38 upvotes
Elijah Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 14 years. Moved from LA for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 average. 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 high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Violet Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are decent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Grayson Taylor
facts
36 upvotes
Alexa Perez
I've lived in Sunset for about 14 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 Seattle, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Serenity
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is average in most areas.
34 upvotes
Jeremiah Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
living_gabriella11
This.
33 upvotes
Leonardo James
honestly same experience here
27 upvotes
Claire Lee
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Santiago Anderson
as a local I can confirm
25 upvotes
Jack Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Atlanta for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Property taxes are high. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
matthew_lover
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Melanie C.
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Gerald W.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Dominic Richardson
facts
20 upvotes
Hunter Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Katherine Phillips
following this thread
18 upvotes
Ezekiel Thomas
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
austin_david
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 47, moved here 6 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
16 upvotes
atl_luna
Totally agree!
16 upvotes
Miles O.
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Savannah R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Elena
I work in healthcare here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Emmett R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.