Hello, I'm retired and Household incomes average around $128,167 in Centennial. Homes are going for about $626,700 on average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What are your go-to spots?
6 upvotes
30 Replies
clara_vibes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Diego about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Serenity Watson
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Rylee Gutierrez
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
35 upvotes
Audrey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
la_asher
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
dcdude2023
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Declan Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 11 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Mateo Morris
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
29 upvotes
nyc_thomas
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
fresnogirl2024
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
Isla K.
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Grace Reed
+1
27 upvotes
Mason Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 45, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Oak Park and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
27 upvotes
Connor Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Rachel K.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
25 upvotes
Emma Garcia
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to traffic but Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Eleanor Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
Brielle Baker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Daniel Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Ian Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 31, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Oak Park and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
17 upvotes
Sofia
I've lived in Westside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. 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:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Owen Kim
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Naomi
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 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 North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Peyton Gomez
not my experience at all
8 upvotes
oakland_jose
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
6 upvotes
Lillian S.
I've lived in East for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Gabriella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
5 upvotes
Ava Rogers
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Camila Rogers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Chloe Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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