First post here. Been living here since 2007. You can expect to pay around $1,590 for rent here. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What do you all think? Cheers.
15 upvotes
23 Replies
Ella Brown
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
40 upvotes
Hazel Castillo
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Luna Garcia
great question, following
36 upvotes
Noah
Moved here last year, no regrets.
34 upvotes
Mia Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
33 upvotes
Genesis Patel
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Alice Hernandez
as a local I can confirm
32 upvotes
Vivian Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - 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. 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. Winters are long and cold. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Sarah A.
glad someone said it
26 upvotes
Eleanor S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Mason W.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Springfield area are solid. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Oliver Collins
hmm interesting perspective
23 upvotes
Autumn L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Midtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
20 upvotes
Sadie
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
17 upvotes
Luke Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Katherine Phillips
I'm a writer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Isla Harris
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Greyson Campbell
+1
12 upvotes
Evelyn Carter
thanks for sharing
12 upvotes
Isla Ramirez
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Mary R.
accurate
4 upvotes
Jameson Hall
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Maverick
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Southern places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.