Hey everyone, Just moved here 3 months ago and It's a a small town city with about 3,247 people. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
13 upvotes
8 Replies
Melanie S.
100%
40 upvotes
Avery Jones
+1
32 upvotes
Jeremiah Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Daniel T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are pretty good. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Joshua J.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
Michael P.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor recreation is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
urban_hudson57
haha yep pretty much
10 upvotes
Allison Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Tampa 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 Riverside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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