Curious what people think. I'm a 46-year-old sales rep and With a population of 55,696, Apple Valley is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $99,277 in Apple Valley. You can expect to pay around $1,678 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What neighborhoods would you suggest? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
Axel C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 7 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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 improving. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Willow Murphy
100%
27 upvotes
Ella Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
20 upvotes
Christian G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Silas W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
17 upvotes
Nathan C.
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Julian M.
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
tulsalover2022
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Italian places. the quality of life is solid.
2 upvotes
Maverick Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Aaliyah Howard
I've lived in Oak Park for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The job market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Weston Diaz
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The outdoor recreation scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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