Longtime lurker here, You can expect to pay around $1,301 for rent here. Homes are going for about $199,300 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Estelle sits at 445.3 per 100K. With a population of 16,761, Estelle is a small town. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Oliver P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Rylee Cook
I've lived in Fairview for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Sarah Garcia
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
26 upvotes
Naomi Myers
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
23 upvotes
Everett Rodriguez
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Alyssa E.
preach
22 upvotes
Isaiah R.
good to know, thanks
13 upvotes
Weston Moore
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Leah Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Valentina Johnson
I work in consulting here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Nolan Torres
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Sarah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Harold C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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