Alright, I'm retired and With a population of 40,673, Westfield is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $295,500, which seems about average. You can expect to pay around $1,064 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Would love some local perspective. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
29 upvotes
12 Replies
Hailey Morgan
wish I knew this sooner
37 upvotes
Luca Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
33 upvotes
Henry Kim
I've lived in Sunset for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Owen Williams
preach
24 upvotes
Camila R.
honestly same experience here
24 upvotes
proud_landon80
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
10 upvotes
Leo Cooper
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Allison Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 12 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Old Town and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Tampa, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
8 upvotes
Alice Torres
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Cora
accurate
4 upvotes
Jacob Ramirez
hard disagree but ok
2 upvotes
Valentina Morales
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
All Countries
