First post here. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What are your go-to spots?
15 upvotes
16 Replies
luke_fan
glad someone said it
37 upvotes
Peyton Perez
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cultural scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Sarah Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Austin about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Janice T.
facts
23 upvotes
William Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Brenda D.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
21 upvotes
Leonardo Collins
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
Alexa Cruz
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The outdoor recreation scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Everly P.
100%
14 upvotes
Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
loving_emilia26
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Jackson Reyes
yep
7 upvotes
Robert Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 30, moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
6 upvotes
Aaron Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. East schools are decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Noah
exactly what I was thinking
1 upvotes
Audrey Edwards
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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