Hey folks, Has anyone dealt with this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
6 upvotes
23 Replies
Nicholas Alvarez
I've lived in Greenfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Phoenix, 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
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Olivia Jones
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Allison Ortiz
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 15 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. 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 about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails 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 surprisingly good. 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 shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
William R.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Sarah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from Baltimore for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are hit or miss. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Julian Patel
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Naomi A.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
29 upvotes
benjamin_vibes
noted, appreciate it
25 upvotes
Evan Turner
noted, appreciate it
25 upvotes
Liam Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 26, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
23 upvotes
Gabriella Diaz
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Cedar Grove area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Kayden T.
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 solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (East) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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
Gabriel
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
19 upvotes
Andrea M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 14 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Piper Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Mason
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much growing but now it's average.
15 upvotes
Aaron M.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Connor C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 8 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. hospitality 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are surprisingly good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Joseph White
spot on
9 upvotes
Kai Moore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Raleigh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Jeremiah Lopez
preach
3 upvotes
James C.
hard disagree but ok
1 upvotes
Gianna Morales
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is average and there's always something going on.
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