Curious what people think. The median home value here is around $327,500, which seems about average. It's a a smaller city city with about 71,261 people. Rent is about $1,707/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
17 upvotes
27 Replies
Sophia Carter
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's been a really good experience overall.
37 upvotes
Joseph B.
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
36 upvotes
Hunter Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Brielle Morris
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The pet-friendliness is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
sd_michael
I've lived in Old Town for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The job market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Aiden Patel
thanks for sharing
32 upvotes
Steven J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Diego it's better than expected.
31 upvotes
Audrey Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Ethan R.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
27 upvotes
Jose R.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great BBQ places. the quality of life is solid.
25 upvotes
Brooklyn Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Old Town and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
24 upvotes
Declan Cook
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 Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Jean A.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Carson L.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
22 upvotes
Savannah Wright
noted, appreciate it
20 upvotes
Miles Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
18 upvotes
Ezra Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Mateo Castillo
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Cameron
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Lily Smith
great question, following
10 upvotes
Grayson Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Dylan Nelson
this is the way
5 upvotes
Peyton Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 30, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Oak Park and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
4 upvotes
Hudson
big facts right here
3 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Midtown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. tough 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
2 upvotes
Kayden
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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