Hey, I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $113,638, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 6.2%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Appreciate any input. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
39 upvotes
17 Replies
Allison Carter
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The walkability is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Evan Torres
underrated comment
32 upvotes
Lily Thomas
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 Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 surprisingly 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Nightlife is limited. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Scarlett
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Julia Cox
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Walker
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Autumn Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Everett Cooper
I've lived in Sunset for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The food scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Madeline Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Downtown schools are surprisingly 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Savannah M.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The nightlife is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
nolafan2023
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
11 upvotes
Brooks White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Zoe Ruiz
100%
9 upvotes
Hudson Edwards
Saving this thread
8 upvotes
mountain_hunter14
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 46, moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Baltimore, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
7 upvotes
Everly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 42, moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in The Heights and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
4 upvotes
Melanie Ramos
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The weather is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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