First post here. I'm retired and It's a a smaller city city with about 31,616 people. Rent is about $1,639/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 12.9%, which is around average. You can expect to pay around $1,639 for rent here. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Has anyone dealt with this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Wyatt D.
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
39 upvotes
Thomas Garcia
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
39 upvotes
Piper
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is challenging in most areas.
37 upvotes
Nolan Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Midtown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
33 upvotes
Angel Wood
been saying this for years
32 upvotes
Emmett
spot on
29 upvotes
Gabriella M.
100%
29 upvotes
Cora
I've lived in North for about 4 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 outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Nora P.
thanks for sharing
28 upvotes
Easton K.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The school system is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Kai Walker
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
indy_adeline
thanks for sharing
21 upvotes
Piper Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 30, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
7 upvotes
Kennedy King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Samuel Smith
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 6 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to healthcare but Feel free to reach out with questions..
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