Random thought, Median household income is $108,649, which feels pretty solid for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What would you do? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
34 upvotes
15 Replies
Elijah Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 55, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in The Heights and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 San Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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
jonathan_guy
Bought a house here in 2015 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
33 upvotes
Kai Edwards
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 Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty 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 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes 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. Can feel isolated. Limited shopping options. And cost of living 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.
33 upvotes
Melanie
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Lydia Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Houston for work. 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 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Fairview schools are tough. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Clara Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Eleanor M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Caleb C.
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Miles Lee
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Luca Edwards
I've lived in The Heights for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Lillian P.
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
Isaiah Miller
as a local I can confirm
11 upvotes
Hunter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 4 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are challenging. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Emily Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 53, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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