Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -La Verne sits at 157.7 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 30,804 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thoughts? The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
22 upvotes
27 Replies
Quinn P.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
40 upvotes
Sophia E.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Angel W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
hospitality is strong here. education 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails 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 tough. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Andrew P.
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Jacob Campbell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
35 upvotes
Bennett
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
James Torres
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Brooklyn Roberts
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Zachary S.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is excellent in most areas.
29 upvotes
Adeline
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Leah Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Richard M.
spot on
22 upvotes
Wyatt Williams
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Pittsburgh it's average.
21 upvotes
Easton Scott
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Diana P.
big facts right here
17 upvotes
Amy B.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Amelia Reed
facts
16 upvotes
Kayden Gonzalez
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Madelyn Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Rising rent and home prices. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Keith A.
nah I disagree
12 upvotes
Ezra Diaz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Raleigh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
cool_katherine65
I've lived in Fairview for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Mary K.
as a local I can confirm
4 upvotes
Brielle Alvarez
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The public transit is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Jackson K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Leo P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 43, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
1 upvotes
Benjamin
I'm a social worker and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.