OK so Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $203,400 on average. Poverty rate is 8.2%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
22 upvotes
13 Replies
boston_eva
interesting, hadn't considered that
39 upvotes
Noah Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Isabelle P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Allison Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains 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 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Ella Allen
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Sunset area are challenging. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Emilia Rodriguez
Came here for school and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The school system is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
phillygirl2024
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Pittsburgh it's pretty good.
26 upvotes
Jack Cooper
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
21 upvotes
Wesley Ramos
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Highland area are improving. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Joseph Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
10 upvotes
stella_life
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Xavier Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Brielle J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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