I'm a remote worker and Average temperature is around 72--F, so it's warm year-round. Poverty rate is 5.7%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes
18 Replies
Nora Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 52, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Midtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Claire Clark
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Nashville it's better than expected.
38 upvotes
Isaac Howard
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
anna_walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. 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 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Greenfield 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Serenity B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 4 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Eastside schools are solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Marie T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Stella
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to San Francisco it's hit or miss.
30 upvotes
Sarah Clark
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Jonathan Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
27 upvotes
Dominic R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Westside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
22 upvotes
Luca Chavez
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Sophie Anderson
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Thomas
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The job market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Liam T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to New York it's tough.
17 upvotes
Mackenzie J.
I've lived in North for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Jeffrey F.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Meadowbrook area are improving. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Anna Gomez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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