So, We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $664,200 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Elwood sits at 22.0 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I wrong here? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Claire
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
Cooper K.
it depends on the neighborhood
35 upvotes
Oliver Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Mackenzie Murphy
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
29 upvotes
Shirley G.
I've lived in Springfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The school system scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Isabella Castillo
I work in healthcare here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is challenging. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Roman Bennett
I've lived in Old Town for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Greyson Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Luke Martinez
yep
17 upvotes
Samuel Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 4 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate 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's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 average. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Landon
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Maverick Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Claire
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Mia Davis
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Mexican places. it exceeded my expectations.
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