Not sure if this has been asked before, but I relocated for work and It's a a small town city with about 11,474 people. Rent is about $1,063/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $67,115, which feels about average for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
Edward A.
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
Cora N.
nah I disagree
26 upvotes
Ava Ruiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to San Francisco it's tough.
25 upvotes
Matthew W.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great seafood places. it's been a really good experience overall.
24 upvotes
Aubrey C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Judy J.
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
22 upvotes
Ezekiel Robinson
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
haha yep pretty much
20 upvotes
Emmett Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 10 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. legal 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty 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. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.