Alright, Am I overthinking this? The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
22 upvotes
29 Replies
Patrick R.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
axel_papa
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Zoe Alvarez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Michael Collins
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Pittsburgh it's decent.
37 upvotes
Piper Cook
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Rylee Wright
noted, appreciate it
36 upvotes
Camila Morris
been saying this for years
34 upvotes
Natalie Brown
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much wild but now it's improving.
34 upvotes
Lucy Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Austin 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 Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Matthew Scott
Totally agree!
32 upvotes
denver_carson
wish I knew this sooner
32 upvotes
minneapolis_lily
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Jace S.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Isabella Robinson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Sadie Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Michael E.
as a local I can confirm
25 upvotes
Cameron Clark
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
24 upvotes
Harper Walker
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
orlandoguy2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Fairview schools are solid. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Camila R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 12 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Old Town schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Bennett M.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
12 upvotes
Joseph Williams
Moved here from LA about 9 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Quinn Nelson
+1
11 upvotes
Emma Edwards
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Arianna Y.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Andrew D.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The weather is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Amelia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Victoria Hughes
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
9 upvotes
Owen Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.