Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $412,900 on average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
60 upvotes
29 Replies
Caroline P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Everly Foster
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
raised_christian22
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Minneapolis it's improving.
39 upvotes
David K.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
30 upvotes
Mackenzie Rivera
This.
28 upvotes
Kennedy M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
leo_kid
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 39, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
26 upvotes
bennett_fan
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Andrew Howard
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Kennedy
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 13 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 Minneapolis, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- The nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
melanie_local
lol so true
21 upvotes
wild_violet50
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Sadie T.
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 7 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 Baltimore, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The outdoor recreation scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
William Jones
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
18 upvotes
Angel Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
16 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramos
yeah no that's not right
15 upvotes
Peyton A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is improving in most areas.
13 upvotes
Ellie Kelly
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
12 upvotes
Sofia Brooks
I've lived in South for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is average
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Mateo Castillo
Bought a house here in 2023 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
9 upvotes
Genesis Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Ariana Harris
bump
8 upvotes
Hannah Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Mason G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 34, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 Raleigh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
7 upvotes
Lucy Mendoza
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The healthcare is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Robert Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Adam D.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Kayden Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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