Household incomes average around $60,589 in Shelton. Homes are going for about $296,100 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What would you do? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Piper Lee
I've lived in Downtown for about 9 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 nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Liam Green
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Emma
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Jaxon Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
37 upvotes
Roman Edwards
not my experience at all
35 upvotes
Bennett Parker
I've lived in Greenfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Waylon H.
as a local I can confirm
32 upvotes
Angel Anderson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Evelyn P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 9 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are solid. 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 cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Caroline Gonzalez
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Colton P.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
26 upvotes
Anna Bailey
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
22 upvotes
Delilah Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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