Anyone else feel this way? I'm originally from Atlanta and Household incomes average around $47,797 in Covington. Rent is about $1,162/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $242,700, which is actually reasonable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Lily King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 41, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in The Heights and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. improving 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
40 upvotes
Lucy Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Carson W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
37 upvotes
Grace Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 39, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Springfield and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
33 upvotes
Lucy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
John Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
27 upvotes
Lydia Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Leo Brown
this is the way
23 upvotes
Claire Flores
Moved here from LA about 2 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to nightlife but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Easton Bennett
great question, following
11 upvotes
oaklandsoul2023
hmm interesting perspective
3 upvotes
cincyrider2024
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 8 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2023 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 solid. 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. Nightlife is limited. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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