Curious what people think. The weather takes some getting used to. Let me know your thoughts.
28 upvotes
25 Replies
Grace Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Mason S.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Lucas Foster
it depends on the neighborhood
35 upvotes
raleighguy2021
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
nola_camila
I work in tech here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Emma
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 28, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
31 upvotes
Benjamin Lee
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
29 upvotes
Lydia Gray
This.
28 upvotes
Nolan Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Wyatt Wright
exactly what I was thinking
26 upvotes
Michael C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
sacramentokid2021
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Aaliyah Perez
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Barbara L.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
19 upvotes
Aubrey Stewart
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Owen Rodriguez
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Midtown area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Gabriella
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
5 upvotes
Ryan R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Jeremiah R.
I'm a software engineer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Elizabeth Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Tampa about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Matthew Rogers
lol so true
4 upvotes
living_aiden31
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
real estate is strong here. government 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are average. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Bella P.
nah I disagree
4 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
honestly same experience here
3 upvotes
Isaiah S.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.