Hey folks, I've been here for 13 years and Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Thoughts? Thanks! The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
1 upvotes
20 Replies
Anna Rodriguez
+1
40 upvotes
Matthew
underrated comment
39 upvotes
Miles Gutierrez
it depends on the neighborhood
36 upvotes
Lucy Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Declan Watson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Nevaeh Hernandez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Josiah Brooks
This.
34 upvotes
milwaukeechef2020
great question, following
32 upvotes
Vincent G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Adam L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (East) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural 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.
26 upvotes
Hailey M.
exactly what I was thinking
24 upvotes
Easton Long
I've lived in Greenfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Kai L.
I've lived in Old Town for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Charlotte S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Abigail Bailey
as a local I can confirm
10 upvotes
Amy W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Isla Diaz
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Sarah J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Wyatt Rogers
great question, following
3 upvotes
Mason D.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.