Median household income is $231,139, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What would you do? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
19 upvotes
27 Replies
Scott W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Isla Harris
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Alexander A.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The nightlife is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
same here
36 upvotes
Isabella R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. challenging 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 Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
31 upvotes
Donna G.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Leah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Greenfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - 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 cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
28 upvotes
Dylan Ward
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 Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
finance is strong here. construction 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches 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 excellent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Skylar Rogers
+1
28 upvotes
Thomas Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Piper Sanchez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Sophie Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 51, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Riverside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
23 upvotes
Jace R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Thomas Gutierrez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Isabella Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Amelia Jimenez
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Andrew W.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The nightlife is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Leah Thompson
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Sebastian Kelly
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is improving in most areas.
15 upvotes
Charlotte Gomez
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 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Old Town schools are pretty 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Easton Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 47, moved here 6 years ago from Houston. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Urban sprawl is real
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
14 upvotes
Olivia N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
10 upvotes
Miles Nguyen
good to know, thanks
10 upvotes
Harper Hall
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Charlotte Martinez
lol so true
8 upvotes
Katherine Moore
been saying this for years
2 upvotes
Daniel R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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