Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and Rent is about $1,371/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 13.9%, which is around average. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a small town city with about 9,783 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I wrong here? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Gloria M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Addison Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2020 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
37 upvotes
Julie M.
spot on
35 upvotes
David Perez
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Isabella R.
lol so true
22 upvotes
Emilia C.
I've lived in Highland for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Sara C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
21 upvotes
Nicholas Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 41, moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Phoenix, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
21 upvotes
Harper Carter
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
David Sanchez
following this thread
19 upvotes
Emmett Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Gabriel
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Luca Gutierrez
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The walkability is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Axel Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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