Considering Oakland Park vs Austin -help me decide
Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Should I be concerned? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
18 upvotes
13 Replies
Logan Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2016 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
35 upvotes
Caroline Walker
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
Wesley Castillo
I've lived in South for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Sophia Gonzalez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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
Sarah Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Riverside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Raleigh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
33 upvotes
Eva Gray
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
26 upvotes
Easton S.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I love the pace of life here.
23 upvotes
Melanie Alvarez
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Jack Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 4 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Lily 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 3 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts 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 average. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Cooper R.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
15 upvotes
Aurora C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Maya T.
I've lived in The Heights for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, 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
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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