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Cynthia W.
housing
Affordable areas near Chatham?
TIA! There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Olivia K.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
39 upvotes
Owen Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 49, moved here 10 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a chef, 49, moved here 10 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Downtown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
38 upvotes
Evan Collins
I work in healthcare here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is average. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Hailey
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Alice R.
nah I disagree
33 upvotes
Virginia M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Chicago about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Chicago about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Zoe Martin
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Grace Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Raleigh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Raleigh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
John T.
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Miles O.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Christian C.
great question, following
16 upvotes
David
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The public transit is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
George R.
good to know, thanks
4 upvotes
Jessica C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes