I've been here for 4 years and The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,223 for rent here. Poverty rate is 14.7%, which is around average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Good schools
- Lots of new development
- Walkable downtown
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Sprawl everywhere
- Boring for young people
- Limited cultural events
There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Amelia Stewart
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Benjamin K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 46, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
37 upvotes
Allison
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 25, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
36 upvotes
houston_cooper
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
35 upvotes
Nora Murphy
noted, appreciate it
35 upvotes
milwaukee_everly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Emilia Rivera
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 Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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 better than expected. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Hannah Ross
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
Ezra Hill
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
dc_skylar
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Lucas
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Levi B.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Isabella
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Diego about 10 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Allison
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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