Household incomes average around $71,664 in Janesville. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Worth the trade-offs?
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Ezra Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Portland about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
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 decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Thomas M.
bump
39 upvotes
Nevaeh Morgan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Vivian Moore
I work in hospitality here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Anna Kim
I've lived in Fairview for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Gabriel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 7 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare 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 surprisingly good - 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. Pine Hills schools are pretty good. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Henry Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 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 Pine Hills. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Randy R.
following this thread
23 upvotes
Hunter Gutierrez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
19 upvotes
Nova Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 10 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, 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.
18 upvotes
christian_girl
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much manageable but now it's surprisingly good.
All Countries
