OK so Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,962/month for a decent place. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
37 upvotes
8 Replies
Pamela K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Highland and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
38 upvotes
Liam
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much wild but now it's average.
36 upvotes
Julia Peterson
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 Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers 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 improving. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Kathryn W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Roman Adams
Moved here from Raleigh about 7 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to housing market but Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Evan Jimenez
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
16 upvotes
Ellie A.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Pamela T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.