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Nathan P. best-worst

Top 5 things I love about Hamshire

Random thought, Military spouse here. Worth the trade-offs? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes

13 Replies

charlotte_jace
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Savannah Peterson
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Camila Gomez
literally same
37 upvotes
Kennedy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.

I've been here 14 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is excellent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Brooklyn H.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great BBQ places. the quality of life is solid.
29 upvotes
Violet Mendoza
facts
20 upvotes
Michael Watson
I've lived in Greenfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is hit or miss

The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Hunter Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 57, moved here 6 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Owen Walker
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Ethan
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 6 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Harper R.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in The Heights area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Grayson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.

I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes
Andrew Evans
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is decent in most areas.
0 upvotes
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