Hello, We have two kids and The median home value here is around $265,300, which seems about average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Worth the trade-offs? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
10 upvotes
16 Replies
Addison Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 43, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
40 upvotes
Abigail White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Seattle about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Silas Morgan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Carolyn K.
nah I disagree
36 upvotes
Landon Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 40, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Highland and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
36 upvotes
Melanie C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 11 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - 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. East 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Ruby Gonzalez
good to know, thanks
28 upvotes
Sophia T.
lol so true
27 upvotes
Mason R.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great craft beer places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
23 upvotes
Nathan Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 1 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Greenfield 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
William Chavez
yeah no that's not right
16 upvotes
Brielle
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Victoria B.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Evelyn Green
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
8 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Jonathan Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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