Anyone else feel this way? Homes are going for about $618,100 on average. Household incomes average around $157,824 in Garden Ridge. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Thoughts? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Marilyn R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
William Mitchell
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
36 upvotes
cool_angel66
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is tough in most areas.
36 upvotes
Luca Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Luna Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 3 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. South schools are excellent. 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Liam Howard
following this thread
28 upvotes
Henry Torres
this is the way
27 upvotes
Olivia Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Tampa it's improving.
13 upvotes
Ariana Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Fairview 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. Limited high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Olivia Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Miami about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
mesaheart2020
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
9 upvotes
Dylan Ortiz
Moved here from Chicago about 13 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Nova T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 12 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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