So, Rent is about $1,757/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this? Thanks!
12 upvotes
19 Replies
Savannah Bailey
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great craft beer places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
39 upvotes
Jordan Roberts
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is decent in most areas.
34 upvotes
Gianna Murphy
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Bradley F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Madeline Campbell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Portland about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Wyatt
+1
29 upvotes
Mason Sanchez
Totally agree!
26 upvotes
Isabelle Morales
wish I knew this sooner
25 upvotes
Ryan Williams
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much competitive but now it's improving.
25 upvotes
Anna Smith
haha yep pretty much
18 upvotes
Abigail P.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Oak Park area are decent. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Adam Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
houstonnative2021
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
Kennedy C.
literally same
9 upvotes
Jaxon Morgan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Caroline Brooks
honestly same experience here
7 upvotes
sf_ezra
big facts right here
3 upvotes
cincyrunner2022
preach
3 upvotes
Dominic 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 7 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches 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 improving. 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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