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Nolan Moore
living
Is Cortez a good place to live?
Hello, You can expect to pay around $1,912 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Clara Patel
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Riverside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Jason O.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
native_zoey6
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 30, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
Background: I'm a contractor, 30, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
30 upvotes
Levi Rivera
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
30 upvotes
Violet K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Denise S.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Maple Ridge area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Santiago Ward
hmm interesting perspective
22 upvotes
Emily A.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Maple Ridge area are challenging. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Zoe Peterson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
21 upvotes
Isaiah C.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
indy_andrew
thanks for sharing
11 upvotes
Angel Gonzalez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Sunset) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Sunset) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
10 upvotes
Zachary G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
tech 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Fairview for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
tech 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty 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 average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Carter Rivera
I'm a sales manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes