Hello, We have two kids and Average temperature is around 64°F, so the weather is moderate. With a population of 544K, Fresno is a major city. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Let me know your thoughts.
87 upvotes
21 Replies
rylee_fan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Weston Sanders
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Alexander B.
I've lived in Highland for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The community vibe scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
kennedy_life
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Wyatt Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Aiden Lopez
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Alice
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
David Alvarez
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
22 upvotes
Skylar Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from New York about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Brenda W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Mateo Turner
this is the way
19 upvotes
Lily Miller
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Margaret R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Minneapolis about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Paisley T.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
phillysoul2022
I'm a software engineer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Elizabeth White
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Lucy Ramirez
couldn't agree more
10 upvotes
Joshua Alvarez
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Mackenzie J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 54, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Downtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
3 upvotes
James Ward
I'm a contractor and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 37, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Midtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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