Hi all, Just moved here 18 months ago and The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 26,406 people. Poverty rate is 8.7%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Is this normal for Forest Grove? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
27 upvotes
15 Replies
Lily Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Francisco about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Leonardo J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Tampa it's hit or miss.
38 upvotes
Hailey Garcia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 8 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
consulting is strong here. tech 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 pretty good - we have national forests 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
chicago_silas
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Pine Hills area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Parker Morris
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Axel Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 14 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
roman_living
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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
Brielle Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
15 upvotes
Maverick Gray
wish I knew this sooner
12 upvotes
Julian W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 12 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 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. 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 manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Oak Park 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. Rising rent and home prices. Nightlife is limited. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Ian Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Willow Cook
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Brooks Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix 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 Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Jack Kim
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.
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