Hello, I'm single, late 50s, and Crime rate is something to consider -Atherton sits at 166.2 per 100K. Median household income is $250,001, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 7,021 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What are your go-to spots? Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Arianna Kelly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 4 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Aurora R.
I've lived in West for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Naomi
I work in consulting here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is decent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Reagan Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 8 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are solid. 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 school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Grace Cruz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Portland it's better than expected.
11 upvotes
Ella Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
nycwalker2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Austin Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 46, moved here 8 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Highland and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. tough 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
8 upvotes
Noah Edwards
I work in consulting here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is excellent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Joseph A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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