Tell me about Greenfield MA... (Amherst, Northampton: salons, real estate, crime)

[thoermann]

Is it a cute downtown? Is it a good place for children? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Greenfield is a depressed area, which some people say is "up and coming." A lot of people have bought homes up there because they are so much more affordable than in areas like Northampton and Amherst. I don't think the schools are too great.

And, as you know, it is close to Vermont in the north and about 30 minutes to Northampton in the south.

[theh]

Greenfield has a nice downtown area, but I would not recommend living there. Some areas are pretty nice, but the town overall has a pretty bad problem with crime. A few murders every year, lots of homeless people, and a serious drug problem. The schools are notoriously bad, among the worst in the state. I would not recommend Greenfield at all if you have kids.

Maybe try Sunderland, just 15 minutes south of Greenfield? The downtown is as boring as they come, but it's a beautiful, quiet rural town next to Amherst. I don't have kids myself, but from what I've heard, the schools are pretty good in Sunderland. It's also still pretty inexpensive, if cost is a concern.

[atlaw]

dangerous place.

[Carefully]

Originally Posted by atlaw

dangerous place.

to say this and believe it you must be the biggest whimp alive. Greenfield is nothing special, but it's not "dangerous". There are no car jackings, or home invasions, or gang violence. The most crime you're likely to see is vandalism. It's the county seat of an economically depressed rural area, so you have some homeless, some drug users but they keep to themselves. Most people live here because the housing is fairly cheap and it's much safer than springfield. The schools are alright, but not great.

[Greenfielder]

I think we've had a grand total of ZERO murders to date this year. Or did I miss something? I urge anyone with questions to read the monthly police logs on the Greenfield PD's website. They tend to involve traffic stops, someone riding a bike on a sidewalk downtown, petty vandalism, drunk driving, lost pets, and occasionally, domestic violence. The worst crime I've experienced has been someone stealing a pumpkin off our porch steps. Wow, terrifying. And we go out at night all the time and walk to town.

Pretty typical that the majority of online comments are complaints. Sadly there are some bitter, unhappy folks here who perhaps will find greener pastures elsewhere. Those complaints don't represent the majority view.

Like many of our friends and neighbors, we chose Greenfield because of its great old homes, affordable real estate, and walkable downtown services. Greenfield has 2 independent grocers, a bookstore, a movie theater, a department store, nail salons, comic book shops, several terrific bars and restaurants, coffee shops, a weekly farmer's market, farm stands, a solar-powered town park with live music in the summer, hiking trails, a bike trail, a swimming area, an ice skating rink (also used for roller derby), a YMCA, health club, tennis courts, a community college, abundant churches, a Stop & Shop, Big Y, BJ's, Home Depot, Staples, RiteAid, CVS, Walgreen's, every major fast food chain, easy driving access to mountains and rivers for skiing, camping, kayaking, rafting, museums, 5 min. or less from 91 and Rte 2, and 20 minutes from VT and Northampton. Downtown buildings are undergoing a major development and revitalization program, and it's exciting to see their progress.

We have hippies, conservatives, yuppies, old people, young people, white people, gay people, straight people, people of color, young families, new residents, lifelong residents.

It's the county seat so indeed there are people downtown who require access to social services. Employment is tough. Many people work for the hospital, non-profits, the schools, or they commute elsewhere. The schools have been problematic but enrollment bottomed out last year and many of the political problems have quieted due to a new mayoral administration. I know parents who have chosen Greenfield public schools, charter schools, private schools, and parochial schools. As a small city, we have high taxes, it's true.

I've had 12 addresses in 5 states during my lifetime and I couldn't be happier that we chose to settle down and invest here.

[Mr. Joshua]

Great area of the state being on the doorstep of the Berkshires. It's a former industrial town that has seen better days. But it is certainly not bad.