My family moved here when I was a kid. Median household income is $49,033, which feels on the lower side for the area. Average temperature is around 46--F, so expect cold winters. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Anyone in a similar situation? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
2 Replies
eleanor_native
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Greenfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
27 upvotes
Audrey Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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