I've been here for 11 years and Rent is about $1,397/month for a decent place.
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Cynthia W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
John Bailey
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Aubrey Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 15 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Elizabeth Ward
preach
27 upvotes
everett_native
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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
Andrew Thompson
I've lived in Greenfield for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. 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 job market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Kevin M.
I work in construction here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Christian R.
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
Lydia M.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
7 upvotes
Hunter Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 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 Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..