Homes are going for about $1,220,500 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -San Clemente sits at 133.8 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What would you do? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
5 upvotes
23 Replies
Caroline W.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much reasonable but now it's challenging.
40 upvotes
Ella
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
nolalocal2021
yep
39 upvotes
desert_everly48
preach
31 upvotes
Randy Y.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Elizabeth Gutierrez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
vegas_chloe
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Kinsley G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Maverick F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 4 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Zoey M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Colton Jones
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Sophia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Aria Ruiz
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
16 upvotes
Oliver
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Aaron T.
I work in retail here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is tough. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Ariana King
Totally agree!
14 upvotes
Ellie P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 12 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. West schools are pretty good. 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. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Maya Wilson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Landon Morgan
I've lived in Greenfield for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The housing market scene is average
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Grace Foster
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
cora_dude
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The nightlife is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Aiden Gray
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.