Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Cheektowaga sits at 1,228.2 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thoughts? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
29 upvotes
12 Replies
Nathan Smith
Came here for school and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The public transit is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Silas B.
literally same
39 upvotes
Sadie Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from Chicago for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 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:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Leah Hernandez
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Isaiah
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Midtown area are decent. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Aurora Price
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The food scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
sacramentomind2020
same here
21 upvotes
jordan_local
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
Caroline Reyes
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is tough in most areas.
17 upvotes
Axel
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Indian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
16 upvotes
Jace Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
14 upvotes
Elijah Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
All Countries
