Been meaning to ask this. It's a a mid-size city city with about 107K people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What do you all think? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
33 upvotes
22 Replies
Elijah Smith
This.
39 upvotes
Asher J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Baltimore it's challenging.
38 upvotes
Hudson Brooks
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Autumn Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely underrated and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Uptown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
37 upvotes
Roman Harris
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Avery Young
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Nicholas
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The healthcare is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Joshua Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Delilah Brooks
Came here for school and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The healthcare is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Elijah Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 54, moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Lakewood and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - 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 public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Atlanta, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
33 upvotes
Deborah R.
glad someone said it
32 upvotes
Oliver Miller
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Jameson Lopez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
27 upvotes
Dominic Flores
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Ariana
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Alexa Cook
thanks for sharing
23 upvotes
Elizabeth B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Fairview schools are underrated. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Gabriel Reyes
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Alexander Clark
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The walkability is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Amelia Jones
been saying this for years
13 upvotes
Greyson Rodriguez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely solid and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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