Hi all, We have two kids and Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $64,648, which feels about average for the area. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Any help is appreciated. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
13 upvotes
29 Replies
Hannah Bailey
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Diane S.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Thai places. it was the best decision I ever made.
39 upvotes
Aria H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Elijah H.
This.
37 upvotes
Michelle C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Downtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour 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.
35 upvotes
Xavier
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Austin B.
Moved here from Phoenix about 4 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to nightlife but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Zoe S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Waylon Thompson
I've lived in Greenfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Jordan H.
following this thread
32 upvotes
Nova Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
William Jones
thanks for sharing
30 upvotes
Jace Hughes
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Mexican places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
29 upvotes
piper_runner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 San Francisco, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Axel Johnson
it depends on the neighborhood
25 upvotes
Evan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 35, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
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. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
21 upvotes
Brielle Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 55, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Lakewood and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
19 upvotes
maya_fan
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much affordable but now it's improving.
18 upvotes
Caroline W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Isabelle Phillips
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
13 upvotes
Jacob R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Miami it's solid.
13 upvotes
Aria W.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
11 upvotes
seattle_aria
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
native_violet51
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 39, moved here 10 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in The Heights and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. 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.
10 upvotes
Grayson
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
columbus_ava
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Autumn
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to New York it's underrated.
7 upvotes
Caleb P.
I'm a project manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Gabriel K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from Charlotte for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Sunset schools are improving. 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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