Alright, Would love some local perspective. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Olivia Mendoza
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much manageable but now it's better than expected.
40 upvotes
Roman Bennett
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
William
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Uptown area are excellent. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Grace Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Matthew Watson
I work in legal here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Everly Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 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:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Luke S.
Saving this thread
24 upvotes
Audrey Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 41, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
20 upvotes
Paisley
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 pet-friendliness is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
19 upvotes
Isabelle W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. 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. Riverside schools are decent. 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. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Lily N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Leonardo Jones
interesting, hadn't considered that
9 upvotes
Emilia Walker
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Kennedy W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
All Countries
