Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2023. Poverty rate is 9.6%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Doral sits at 96.6 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
24 Replies
Wesley Morales
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Willow Ward
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
Chloe Gray
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Greyson Collins
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Evelyn Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Nashville about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Matthew Castillo
nah I disagree
27 upvotes
Isla Brooks
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 15 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 Denver, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Clara Brooks
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
24 upvotes
Ava Collins
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Lillian Harris
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
Genesis R.
literally same
18 upvotes
Sara C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes 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 better than expected. 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 dating 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.
16 upvotes
Everett T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 58, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
15 upvotes
Genesis Peterson
100%
13 upvotes
Eli Diaz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Cora Hughes
same here
6 upvotes
Alexa Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Violet
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Heather M.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Meadowbrook area are excellent. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Mason Collins
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Sadie Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Jordan C.
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.
3 upvotes
Hannah A.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
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