Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm originally from Tucson and The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $77,960 in Fairview Heights. Rent is about $1,177/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks for reading. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Eugene E.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
31 upvotes
Wyatt Kelly
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Dylan F.
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The walkability is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Katherine Jackson
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Jace Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
24 upvotes
Aurora Young
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Houston it's solid.
23 upvotes
Silas
I'm a teacher and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Axel Hill
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Dominic Young
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Daniel Alvarez
great question, following
16 upvotes
Hazel Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Natalie Torres
Saving this thread
13 upvotes
Joseph Gonzalez
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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