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John Harris housing

First time home buyer in Fairfield

Hey, Been living here since 2012. Rent is about $2,191/month for a decent place. With a population of 120K, Fairfield is a mid-size city. Median household income is $102,321, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Let me know your thoughts. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
41 upvotes

8 Replies

Paisley Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a physical therapist, 38, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Houston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
34 upvotes
oaklandsoul2022
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, 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
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent

The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Connor Murphy
following this thread
31 upvotes
Avery C.
exactly what I was thinking
27 upvotes
Gabriella Ruiz
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The housing market is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Jordan Thomas
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Vivian Davis
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Kayden W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.

I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
1 upvotes
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