Been meaning to ask this. We're a young couple and Rent is about $1,760/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Any advice would be great.
5 upvotes
12 Replies
Grace Thompson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Ian C.
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Maria S.
I work in retail here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Camila M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
24 upvotes
Paisley D.
I'm a writer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Avery C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
xavier_kid
spot on
14 upvotes
Jayden G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Westside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Atlanta, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
10 upvotes
Jonathan Nelson
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
5 upvotes
Isaiah Peterson
I've lived in Greenfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..