Longtime lurker here, I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $90,343, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 66--F, so the weather is moderate. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Diverse community
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited public transit
- Rising rent prices
- Not very walkable
- Lack of diversity
There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Piper
Bought a house here in 2022 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Waylon A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
35 upvotes
Frances R.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much growing but now it's average.
31 upvotes
Santiago
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
milwaukee_delilah
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Ryan Scott
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Christian Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Boston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Naomi A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are pretty good. 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. Property taxes are high. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Savannah M.
Saving this thread
10 upvotes
Daniel Nguyen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
9 upvotes
Riley M.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Maverick Sanders
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in North area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Adrian Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Harper Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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