Hey folks, The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Does this match your experience? The weather takes some getting used to.
5 upvotes
22 Replies
Emilia Parker
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 9 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Old Town schools are pretty 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
John Torres
facts
38 upvotes
Evan
I've lived in Greenfield for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Bella Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Sarah
accurate
27 upvotes
Arianna
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Grace Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from New York about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Adam Kelly
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by food scene. 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 food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Aiden Evans
accurate
20 upvotes
Daniel Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 48, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
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. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
19 upvotes
Jackson
seconding this
17 upvotes
Douglas R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Adrian
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Waylon H.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
10 upvotes
Parker Miller
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Gabriella M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Jayden M.
facts
6 upvotes
Easton A.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Bennett Moore
Saving this thread
5 upvotes
Eleanor Edwards
Used to live on the North side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
4 upvotes
Ella Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from San Diego about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
bostongirl2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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