Curious what people think. With a population of 8,389, Gilberts is a small town. Poverty rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,852 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Let me know your thoughts. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
13 upvotes
14 Replies
Maverick Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
39 upvotes
Oliver Sanders
Totally agree!
39 upvotes
Daniel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Nashville it's pretty good.
38 upvotes
Zoey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 56, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
33 upvotes
Santiago Johnson
as a local I can confirm
31 upvotes
Emilia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
24 upvotes
Waylon
big facts right here
23 upvotes
Catherine S.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The public transit scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Liam Hernandez
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
Audrey Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 36, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - 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 housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
18 upvotes
nyc_jordan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
la_dylan
thanks for sharing
13 upvotes
Lisa B.
exactly what I was thinking
4 upvotes
Anna F.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's surprisingly good.
All Countries
