Hey everyone, I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thoughts? Thanks for reading. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
2 upvotes
16 Replies
Madeline Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- 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 wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Peyton S.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Mary K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 50, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. pretty good 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
35 upvotes
Sadie T.
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Lydia G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 47, moved here 2 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Robert R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore 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 Pine Hills. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Bella Brown
I've lived in Springfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is decent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
James R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 58, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. pretty good 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 Atlanta, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
25 upvotes
santiago_rider
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much established but now it's decent.
24 upvotes
Amelia Reed
seconding this
23 upvotes
Christian Cook
literally same
23 upvotes
mountain_alexander77
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
19 upvotes
Piper Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 36, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in North and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
12 upvotes
Lucy M.
I've lived in Sunset for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Silas Gonzalez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
minneapoliswalker2026
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 3 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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