Hey everyone, Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. Poverty rate is 14.9%, which is around average. The median home value here is around $141,700, which is actually reasonable. It's a a smaller city city with about 77,098 people. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Strong sense of community
- Walkable downtown
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Not very walkable
- Lack of diversity
- Boring for young people
Should I be concerned? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development.
11 upvotes
20 Replies
Ezekiel Brooks
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The food scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Roman Taylor
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Katherine Moore
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
true_william66
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from New York for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Piper Allen
glad someone said it
30 upvotes
native_sarah91
Saving this thread
27 upvotes
Easton Green
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
lucy_native
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The housing market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
George T.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
20 upvotes
Noah M.
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
Aurora P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 surprisingly good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Easton Gonzalez
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Joshua Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Josiah Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 8 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Cedar Grove schools are solid. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Sean L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 29, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Nevaeh Ward
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Sarah Chavez
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. outdoor recreation used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
3 upvotes
Ezekiel Kelly
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Lakewood area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
2 upvotes
Nova
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much reasonable but now it's underrated.
1 upvotes
Stella A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Nashville 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 Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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