Random thought, I'm a college student here and With a population of 30,486, Gurnee is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $331,100, which seems about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
29 upvotes
11 Replies
Bobby J.
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 San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches 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 tough. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Jacob Turner
Totally agree!
37 upvotes
Elizabeth King
Totally agree!
26 upvotes
Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Boston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Bennett Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Thomas Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Hunter Anderson
I work in consulting here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Everly Gutierrez
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The housing market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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