Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $932/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 27.8%, which is higher than I expected. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Julian Baker
same here
40 upvotes
Alice Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 7 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Bennett Ward
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Jacob
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
William Adams
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The community vibe is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Sofia Green
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Weston Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Alice Moore
Totally agree!
23 upvotes
peyton_local
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Elijah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Alexander Brown
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Camila Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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