Hey, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $68,854 in Marshalltown. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Let me know your thoughts. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up.
9 upvotes
5 Replies
Ariana Young
following this thread
35 upvotes
Sophie Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 3 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are hit or miss. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Patrick G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Jacob Lewis
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 New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Fairview schools are better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Emmett Murphy
Moved here from Boston about 10 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to weather but Hope this helps!.
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