Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $55,966, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 34,506, Fairborn is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Diverse community
- Easy commute
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Boring for young people
The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
1 upvotes
21 Replies
Jean R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 44, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Fairview and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Aaron
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Julian Mendoza
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Lydia H.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Ian Allen
preach
35 upvotes
Austin H.
great question, following
32 upvotes
Leo Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Colton T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is tough in most areas.
28 upvotes
Sophia R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 57, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Baltimore, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
28 upvotes
Daniel Ramos
I've lived in Eastside for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Rylee Alvarez
facts
24 upvotes
Nora Sanders
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The weather is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Mateo
Came here for family and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Kennedy C.
good to know, thanks
12 upvotes
Alice H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Tyler C.
+1
7 upvotes
andrew_girl
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Luca Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Aurora Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Jayden Parker
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
William
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in East and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Baltimore, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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