Curious what people think. I'm single, late 20s, and Crime rate is something to consider -Fountain Hills sits at 458.6 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 23,768 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Thoughts?
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Santiago Price
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
38 upvotes
Landon D.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
38 upvotes
Joseph Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Kai Turner
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
James Y.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Jameson Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
27 upvotes
Sadie Nelson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Patricia F.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 27, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in Springfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
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. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
26 upvotes
Grayson
Moved here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Benjamin Wilson
underrated comment
21 upvotes
Landon Campbell
seconding this
17 upvotes
Carson Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Audrey Price
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to San Francisco it's underrated.
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