Been meaning to ask this. It's a a smaller city city with about 64,139 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Rowlett sits at 128.3 per 100K. The median home value here is around $342,400, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $113,600 in Rowlett. Homes are going for about $342,400 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Good schools
- Easy commute
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Sprawl everywhere
- Poor road conditions
- Chain restaurants dominate
The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
16 upvotes
10 Replies
Abigail S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 33, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Wesley White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Riverside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
31 upvotes
cool_lucy29
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
William Lee
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 Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Jennifer G.
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
16 upvotes
Allison Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Adam Richardson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
10 upvotes
Claire Roberts
big facts right here
10 upvotes
Kennedy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 13 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
consulting is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Aria
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
