Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 86,521 people. The median home value here is around $561,200, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $1,934/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What do you all think? Any help is appreciated. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.
3 upvotes
20 Replies
Arianna Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Oliver Murphy
I've lived in Midtown for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Adrian Morgan
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The food scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Brielle Bailey
Moved here from Denver about 14 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to healthcare but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Caleb Myers
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Madeline
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 39, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Lakewood and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. challenging 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 Seattle, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
28 upvotes
lucas_girl
I'm a data analyst and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Zoe Alvarez
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Natalie Moore
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Sophie Anderson
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Aiden W.
hmm interesting perspective
19 upvotes
Aurora Adams
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Jack T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 32, moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
12 upvotes
Kinsley Long
I work in engineering here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is better than expected. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Luna Allen
I've lived in Greenfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Sarah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 2 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers 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 decent. 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. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Axel Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 12 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Sunset schools are excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Nevaeh Castillo
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Miles Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Emilia
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
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