Hey, The unemployment rate is 5.9%, which is about average. Rent is about $992/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Would love some local perspective. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
21 upvotes
14 Replies
Jordan Adams
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much affordable but now it's decent.
33 upvotes
Adam Morgan
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great sushi places. it's been a really good experience overall.
31 upvotes
atl_kai
This.
22 upvotes
Caroline W.
facts
21 upvotes
Aurora Turner
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The public transit is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Alexander M.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Henry
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 53, moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
15 upvotes
Nathan Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Riley
Moved here from Tampa about 15 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cost of living but Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Luca
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Janice M.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
12 upvotes
Asher Martin
noted, appreciate it
9 upvotes
Lucy Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Cora W.
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 Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests 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 pretty good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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