Curious what people think. Median household income is $98,653, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
22 upvotes
26 Replies
Jace Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 8 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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. finance 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Austin Johnson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Kayden Jackson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
cora_dude
Moved here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to healthcare but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Miles M.
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Alexa
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Elizabeth G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
32 upvotes
Arianna Ramos
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Salt Lake City it's excellent.
26 upvotes
Jacob T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 38, moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Oak Park and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
24 upvotes
Katherine Peterson
following this thread
23 upvotes
Victoria Gomez
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Sara H.
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Ezra O.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Benjamin Hill
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Evelyn R.
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Nevaeh P.
I work in construction here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Xavier Gomez
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Lily Gray
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Italian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
12 upvotes
Naomi Campbell
yep
11 upvotes
Cheryl R.
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
9 upvotes
Wesley L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Miami about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Jonathan Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Vivian Thomas
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
7 upvotes
Cora M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Benjamin P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Austin about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Audrey Ortiz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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