Alright, Just moved here 9 months ago and Poverty rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Somerset sits at 21.7 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Anyone in a similar situation? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
7 upvotes
14 Replies
Genesis B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 55, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Downtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
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 weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Aaron Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 47, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
32 upvotes
Isaiah Chavez
wish I knew this sooner
30 upvotes
Mia Cruz
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 12 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 Miami, 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
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
sebastian_girl
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Austin Wood
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 Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality 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 improved dramatically in recent years. 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 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. Nightlife is limited. Chain restaurants dominate. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Logan H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Katherine Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
13 upvotes
Caroline Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from New York about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
wild_levi57
I've lived in Riverside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Lucy King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Melissa W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
ezra_lover
great question, following
2 upvotes
Hudson S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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