Been meaning to ask this. I've been here for 17 years and Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $937/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $83,986 in Shields. With a population of 7,276, Shields is a small town. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What do you all think? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
15 upvotes
7 Replies
Asher Taylor
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Silas Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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
Logan B.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Diane S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 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 3-bed in Downtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Adam Collins
Used to live on the North side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
11 upvotes
Genesis Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Greenfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
9 upvotes
Kai Carter
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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