It's a a smaller city city with about 57,442 people. Median household income is $71,619, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Kettering sits at 101.9 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $983 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Thoughts? The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
24 upvotes
24 Replies
Eli
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
39 upvotes
Quinn S.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much wild but now it's improving.
39 upvotes
Adam King
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Olivia L.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Nova Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Houston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
28 upvotes
Greyson T.
lol so true
28 upvotes
Weston Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
John Castillo
honestly same experience here
27 upvotes
Lawrence J.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Lillian White
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cost of living but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Alexander Morales
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
David Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely excellent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
19 upvotes
Caroline Stewart
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
17 upvotes
Gabriel
I've lived in East for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
- The community vibe scene is decent
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Quinn S.
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
local_john82
preach
12 upvotes
oaklanddude2025
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 Pine Hills. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
true_christian68
it depends on the neighborhood
8 upvotes
aria_lover
I've lived in Highland for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
- The cost of living scene is hit or miss
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Henry Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Boston about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Naomi Rogers
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's solid.
4 upvotes
Sarah Smith
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The cost of living is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Eliana Peterson
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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