First post here. Any help is appreciated. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
31 upvotes
29 Replies
Victoria Scott
Saving this thread
40 upvotes
Jack F.
literally same
40 upvotes
kc_silas
interesting, hadn't considered that
34 upvotes
Adeline Hill
hmm interesting perspective
34 upvotes
Aubrey Lopez
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Zoe Gutierrez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Bella W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 1 years. Moved from San Diego for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Eric D.
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
29 upvotes
mountain_lillian19
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
John Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 9 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Jacob Hall
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Houston it's tough.
26 upvotes
Wesley M.
Moved here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to dating scene but Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Matthew T.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
26 upvotes
sacramento_adam
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 12 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Olivia Scott
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from New York about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Everett Bennett
bump
21 upvotes
Elijah W.
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
20 upvotes
Luke King
+1
18 upvotes
Jackson Jimenez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Caleb Lee
glad someone said it
11 upvotes
Carter Morgan
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Ian Hernandez
literally same
9 upvotes
Gabriel W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Addison Cox
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The dating scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Victoria R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 46, moved here 12 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
6 upvotes
Deborah R.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Ronald R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Ruby Rodriguez
good to know, thanks
3 upvotes
Katherine Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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