I'm single, late 30s, and Household incomes average around $36,493 in Fairmont. You can expect to pay around $662 for rent here. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Ruby Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Eastside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing 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. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. solid 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
38 upvotes
Clara Patel
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
35 upvotes
Amelia Reed
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's excellent.
34 upvotes
Axel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Clara Patel
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Connor Edwards
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's been a really good experience overall.
19 upvotes
Madelyn Alvarez
exactly what I was thinking
15 upvotes
Madelyn Foster
I've lived in Fairview for about 15 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 Phoenix, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Diverse dining options
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Ryan P.
thanks for sharing
11 upvotes
Brooklyn
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Josiah
same here
7 upvotes
Jace Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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