Anyone else feel this way? Crime rate is something to consider — Fairfield sits at 373.4 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 120K people. Rent is about $2,191/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
0 upvotes
29 Replies
Paisley Young
seconding this
38 upvotes
Isla J.
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Sofia
I've lived in Sunset for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cost of living scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Landon Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Jonathan Thompson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Jose Alvarez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
33 upvotes
Brooklyn Y.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Gabriel K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
33 upvotes
Serenity Miller
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Kinsley Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Isaac G.
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
28 upvotes
oaklandfan2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 44, moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Elijah Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Ian
Bought a house here in 2023 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
27 upvotes
Rylee Gutierrez
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
27 upvotes
Aria A.
This.
25 upvotes
Harper Torres
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Theodore Clark
Moved here from San Francisco about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Nathan A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
17 upvotes
Anna Gomez
not my experience at all
16 upvotes
Addison Young
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
raleighguy2021
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Robert Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Autumn Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Denver about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Alexa Rodriguez
honestly same experience here
6 upvotes
Jennifer T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
lake_naomi23
great question, following
4 upvotes
Kennedy Kelly
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
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