So, It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
26 Replies
Aaliyah Sanders
spot on
40 upvotes
Jacob Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Asher Miller
following this thread
39 upvotes
Mason G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Luca Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 6 years. Moved from Chicago for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. finance 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. 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 high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Miles
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 11 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
government is strong here. engineering 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 surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland 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. Property taxes are high. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Eli H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Aaliyah Long
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Leah G.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Jaxon Clark
+1
30 upvotes
Nova Myers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Riley Miller
Bought a house here in 2020 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Hailey Foster
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Natalie P.
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Landon Nelson
this is the way
19 upvotes
Leo S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Carson Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 34, moved here 3 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. average 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
12 upvotes
Stella Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Katherine Johnson
wish I knew this sooner
11 upvotes
Nancy R.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Joseph C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Naomi Gutierrez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Isaac Flores
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much developing but now it's surprisingly good.
7 upvotes
Madeline Reed
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
Kenneth R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Keith H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..