I'm a remote worker and Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
15 upvotes
25 Replies
Cooper Watson
lol so true
40 upvotes
Victoria Rodriguez
wish I knew this sooner
39 upvotes
Harper Mendoza
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
39 upvotes
Scarlett S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Evelyn S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
39 upvotes
Theodore
I've lived in Greenfield for about 13 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 Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Aria
I'm a software engineer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
Parker Thomas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
32 upvotes
Luke Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 49, moved here 7 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 San Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
29 upvotes
Hudson H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Genesis Walker
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
25 upvotes
Jacob Gray
I've lived in West for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Riley Wright
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
22 upvotes
Isaiah Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 24, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Sunset and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
21 upvotes
Sebastian Clark
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
17 upvotes
Andrew M.
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Ruby Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
12 upvotes
Joan N.
Totally agree!
10 upvotes
Jose Long
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Emily
same here
9 upvotes
Lucas Clark
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
houstonkid2022
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Logan Kim
not my experience at all
6 upvotes
Aubrey Wilson
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mexican places. the quality of life is solid.
5 upvotes
Madelyn Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 27, moved here 2 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.