What I wish I knew before living in Fountain Hills
Alright, Median household income is $104,788, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Fountain Hills sits at 458.6 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What would you do? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Easton M.
accurate
31 upvotes
Everett Evans
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great craft beer places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
28 upvotes
Caroline Thompson
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The traffic is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Luna Kelly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 2 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Jonathan Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
12 upvotes
Kaylee Ross
Moved here from Portland about 14 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
desert_willow14
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much stable but now it's surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
phoenixwalker2026
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The weather is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Declan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
indy_andrew
I work in finance here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is average. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Elena Gonzalez
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Riley Perez
literally same
7 upvotes
Alice Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 11 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Westside schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Liam Campbell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 14 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are hit or miss. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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