I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -Blaine sits at 92.1 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What would you do?
6 upvotes
22 Replies
Melanie Sanders
honestly same experience here
39 upvotes
Hunter M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is excellent in most areas.
38 upvotes
Isabella Hughes
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is excellent in most areas.
36 upvotes
charlotte_jameson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Denver it's decent.
34 upvotes
Angel
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Josiah Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Dominic Brown
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in North area are tough. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
tucsonfan2020
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Cooper Roberts
yep
22 upvotes
Aaron Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Oak Park and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
19 upvotes
Amelia B.
Saving this thread
19 upvotes
Silas Williams
underrated comment
15 upvotes
Colton Jones
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Brooks R.
exactly what I was thinking
13 upvotes
Nicholas Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 38, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Greenfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
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. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Miami, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
12 upvotes
Kinsley
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Carson M.
yep
10 upvotes
James Flores
I've lived in West for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The community vibe scene is decent
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Arianna Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
alice_mind
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Allison Brown
hmm interesting perspective
4 upvotes
Isabelle
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 San Francisco for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches 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 tough. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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