What is Greenfield like? (Amherst, Hadley: apartment, rental, assessor)

[wheelmannn]

Taxes were higher in 2001 (no mayor in greenfield at that time) than in 2007. So your mayor theory doesn't hold much water.

[willdufauve]

Wheelmann, what are you attempting to say was higher in 2001, tax rates, property assessments, or tax bills? You're leaving a lot of essential details out.

My property tax bill is substantially higher this year than last year. Everyone I know is grumbling about how much the property tax went up this year. My property tax bill, the actual amount I pay when I write out the quarterly check, has increased every year.

Mayor Forgey also started the "buck a bag" policy for trash pickup. We have to buy special trash bags from the town for a dollar apiece, and cannot use less expensive grocery store bags. The town bags are small, too.

I approve of that because it promotes recycling but, even though I think it's a good idea, it's essentially a $100 per year hidden increase in my tax bill because three years ago trash pick-up was free.

My water bill is higher also.

[wheelmannn]

Tax rates are what I was referring to. your bill would be higher as is mine because the value of your house has increased.

[willdufauve]

Did you go to Franklin Tech?

[willdufauve]

Unfortunately, there's been another violent incident in downtown Greenfield. Two fellows got in an argument the other night. One fellow slit the other fellow's throat with his Swiss Army knife but fortunately he survived. I wonder which blade he used?

[teachertype]

There's been a bizarre breakdown in the greenfield schools. They came up short over a million dollars worth. Nobody even can read the budget here. Looks like a possible take over by the state.

[carrot juice]

a lot of people are moving to greenfield because it is affordable. it's near the 91, so close the brattleboro and easy to get down to the Pike.

[willdufauve]

The general talk in town for several years is of an ongoing "brain drain." The most capable people with the most options are leaving town and taking their money and creative approaches with them.

People move to Greenfield only because they can't afford houses in a better town with better schools, and people who need "affordable" are the ones who often need the most services.

Housing is relatively cheap but the schools are the worst in the state. Senior citizens and middle-class families with equity don't come to Greenfield. People looking for an excellent public school education for their kids or professional employment dont' come to Greenfield. People looking for the most house for their Section 8 certificate come to Greenfield.

[askaboutme8908]

Greenfield is TWISTED LIKE THAT!! it must be something in the water like she said! lol, really tho its full of miserable drugged up families ready to go psycho over nothing, we found a needle on our front steps the other night and condoms in the roads all the time, my area is nasty, im trying to move out ASAP. Some one we knew got stabbed downtown 2 weekends ago, my little sister got jumped in the welfare parkinglot about a month ago, all you hear is sirens all day long every half hour! this place is just a dump we filmed alot of the city go here to watch the video and get a better idea
YouTube - Ghetto Remake

[carrot juice]

Lots of folks who lived in Amherst and Northampton are moving to Greenfield because it's more affordable and centrally located. It's about 15 minutes to Brattleboro and an easy drive to Northampton as well. Supposedly, it has one of the best food coops around. Areas are mixed in terms of crime, and so on. Many people speak very highly of Greenfield and say that it is "up and coming."