Moving to Magna metro township with kids -good idea?
So, We have two kids and The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,623/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $341,400 on average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
26 upvotes
17 Replies
Aria Cruz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
40 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
literally same
36 upvotes
delilah_native
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Aria Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
grace_living
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. 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 camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Arianna Ramos
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Adrian W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
David Johnson
as a local I can confirm
27 upvotes
Emmett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 32, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Highland and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. challenging 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 Nashville, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
atl_silas
I'm a electrician and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Maya Ramirez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Lily R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Carter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 7 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Greenfield schools are better than expected. 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 public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Leonardo Anderson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Matthew White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 46, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Springfield and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
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. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
6 upvotes
Leonardo Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
greyson_living
I've lived in Lakewood for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by cost of living. 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 underrated
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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