Not sure if this has been asked before, but We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Hilo sits at 1,821.2 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $1,347 for rent here. Homes are going for about $455,100 on average. Rent is about $1,347/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $455,100, which is pretty steep. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I overthinking this? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
28 upvotes
23 Replies
Adrian L.
preach
39 upvotes
Matthew King
glad someone said it
39 upvotes
Brooklyn Evans
Came here for school and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cost of living is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Quinn Stewart
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Benjamin
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Luke Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 9 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 decent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Nolan Chavez
great question, following
31 upvotes
Austin Davis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Phoenix about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Lily Watson
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
28 upvotes
Mason D.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Jace Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Evelyn R.
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Ellie Richardson
I'm a HR manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Emilia Nelson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
16 upvotes
Ian
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 4 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to nightlife but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Paisley Jimenez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
alice_mind
+1
5 upvotes
Jaxon Martin
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: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Sofia M.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The community vibe is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
John Mendoza
underrated comment
3 upvotes
Emmett Rivera
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Dallas it's solid.
2 upvotes
Judy P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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