Hey everyone, We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. You can expect to pay around $1,816 for rent here. The median home value here is around $242,300, which is actually reasonable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Any advice would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Emma R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 9 years ago from New York. I've lived in Pine Hills and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
37 upvotes
Miles Jackson
Bought a house here in 2020 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
36 upvotes
Declan Harris
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is challenging in most areas.
33 upvotes
Dominic Reed
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
29 upvotes
hannah_heart
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Chloe Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 31, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
24 upvotes
Isaiah T.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
22 upvotes
Lydia H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 54, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
14 upvotes
Melanie Rodriguez
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Highland area are decent. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Hailey Davis
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Elizabeth Nelson
I've lived in Fairview for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
All Countries
