My partner and I are With a population of 35,284, Brunswick is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -Brunswick sits at 48.6 per 100K. The median home value here is around $233,300, which is actually reasonable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Worth the trade-offs? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development.
2 upvotes
28 Replies
Olivia Thompson
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
40 upvotes
Isabella Campbell
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
Nora N.
great question, following
38 upvotes
Jameson T.
honestly same experience here
35 upvotes
Scarlett Collins
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
32 upvotes
Eliana Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Lakewood and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
32 upvotes
Isla
This.
28 upvotes
Willow Turner
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Silas Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
26 upvotes
Joshua Baker
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
24 upvotes
Landon
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
23 upvotes
Claire Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 31, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Charlotte, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
23 upvotes
Jacob Martin
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
Landon M.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Jacob Price
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Paisley Wright
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Highland area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Kaylee G.
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Harper Stewart
interesting, hadn't considered that
14 upvotes
Benjamin Chavez
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Gabriel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Houston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Jose C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Kaylee Cooper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
sd_wesley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (West) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
9 upvotes
Mia Davis
I've lived in Oak Park for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Jose Peterson
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Kinsley Sanders
preach
5 upvotes
Brooklyn Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 5 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. hospitality 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains 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 surprisingly 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Austin H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
