Hello, It's a a small town city with about 6,509 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
4 upvotes
14 Replies
living_josiah71
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Josiah K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Arianna Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 15 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Isabelle Thompson
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Nevaeh Harris
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
31 upvotes
Brooks S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 28, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. hit or miss 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 Atlanta, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Gabriel Ramirez
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
sd_emmett
literally same
18 upvotes
raleighchef2023
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Isabella
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Oak Park area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Julian J.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
sf_nicholas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are better than expected. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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