First post here. My partner and I are Median household income is $84,811, which feels pretty solid for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? Thanks!
10 upvotes
22 Replies
Julian Hall
Used to live on the East side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
38 upvotes
Naomi Ramirez
I'm a chef and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Autumn Gray
honestly same experience here
35 upvotes
Hannah T.
I work in consulting here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is hit or miss. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Grace Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 10 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Tyler W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Adeline M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Jameson Reed
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The job market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Eleanor
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much competitive but now it's better than expected.
25 upvotes
emma_guy
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
20 upvotes
Skylar Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 29, moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
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. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
19 upvotes
Avery Williams
This.
17 upvotes
Evan O.
Used to live on the North side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
16 upvotes
Ariana Jimenez
preach
9 upvotes
Harold K.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The healthcare is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Nolan Kim
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 Atlanta for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Jeremy K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
5 upvotes
Thomas Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
James T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 43, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Maple Ridge and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
4 upvotes
raleighmama2021
glad someone said it
3 upvotes
Isabelle
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
2 upvotes
Luna S.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much manageable but now it's average.
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