Not sure if this has been asked before, but I've been here for 20 years and Average temperature is around 53°F, so expect cold winters. You can expect to pay around $930 for rent here. Poverty rate is 17.6%, which is higher than I expected. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
19 upvotes
30 Replies
Maverick J.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Noah Foster
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Mia H.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much reasonable but now it's pretty good.
35 upvotes
Chloe P.
big facts right here
33 upvotes
Allison A.
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Colton Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Maya Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from New York about 5 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
columbus_hazel
Moved here from Tampa about 2 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Maya Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Angel W.
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Maya Diaz
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor recreation is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
ruby_chef
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Greenfield area are underrated. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Elizabeth Foster
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Charlotte Brown
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Addison Collins
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
Waylon Allen
I work in tech here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Austin Mendoza
literally same
13 upvotes
Adam M.
this is the way
13 upvotes
Isaac Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Violet Mendoza
This.
12 upvotes
Avery Morgan
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
Riley Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Zoe R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 8 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes 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 underrated. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
elijah_walker
This.
8 upvotes
Charles P.
good to know, thanks
7 upvotes
Pamela S.
Bought a house here in 2024 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
4 upvotes
Evan D.
this is the way
4 upvotes
Sophia Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Landon Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 10 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are pretty good. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Leo Hill
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I have mixed feelings honestly.