Just moved here 18 months ago and The unemployment rate is 0.8%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $192,700 on average. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Good schools
- Easy commute
- Strong sense of community
Cons:
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Boring for young people
- Not enough green space
Would love some local perspective. Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Gabriella Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 26, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in North and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
40 upvotes
Autumn Morgan
Saving this thread
39 upvotes
Leonardo Ramirez
hard disagree but ok
35 upvotes
Paisley Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Lily Harris
I'm a teacher and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Lily Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. The Heights 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Ella Johnson
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
river_naomi99
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
25 upvotes
Adeline Hernandez
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
Paul S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from Miami for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes 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 hit or miss. 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 weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Naomi W.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, 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
- Affordable housing options
- The walkability scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Luca Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 10 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Eastside schools are challenging. 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. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Roman Alvarez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
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