Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Median household income is $42,847, which feels on the lower side for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
Abigail
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 28, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
37 upvotes
Dylan Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 52, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Greenfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
30 upvotes
Natalie White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Piper Morales
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by walkability. 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 food scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Ezra Nguyen
Moved here from Tampa about 11 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to food scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Jonathan Wilson
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Jace Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Houston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Delilah Scott
thanks for sharing
19 upvotes
Hazel Ross
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is decent in most areas.
15 upvotes
Kaylee Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 12 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education 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 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. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
dallasdude2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Raleigh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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