Anyone else feel this way? With a population of 46,667, Gallatin is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -Gallatin sits at 279.1 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Nice parks and trails
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homelessness issues downtown
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
23 upvotes
29 Replies
Brielle Patel
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
oaklandguy2024
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
37 upvotes
Lily Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Angel L.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The food scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Carter Nguyen
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's underrated.
30 upvotes
Isabelle
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Serenity Long
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
Hannah Chavez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit 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.
25 upvotes
Jace
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
24 upvotes
sd_naomi
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Julia Green
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 3 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Levi R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Minneapolis about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Colton Ruiz
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
19 upvotes
Ellie Richardson
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Uptown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Asher D.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much developing but now it's excellent.
17 upvotes
Joseph F.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cultural scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Santiago Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
12 upvotes
living_nevaeh96
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Adam Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Madelyn Bailey
I've lived in Highland for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Abigail T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 44, moved here 6 years ago from Houston. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
3 upvotes
Landon King
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
Marie B.
lol so true
3 upvotes
Oliver M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
George T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Sophie L.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much stable but now it's tough.
0 upvotes
indygirl2023
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. engineering 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.