Hello, Just moved here 5 months ago and It's a a small town city with about 23,601 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What do you all think? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
13 upvotes
7 Replies
Autumn W.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The community vibe scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Nolan James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Kai R.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Roman Robinson
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
16 upvotes
mateo_lover
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Ava
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Westside schools are improving. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Eli
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.