Hi all, I relocated for work and It's a a small town city with about 15,031 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Let me know your thoughts.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Paisley Murphy
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
40 upvotes
Leo D.
I work in legal here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is improving. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Thomas Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
31 upvotes
Daniel Taylor
exactly what I was thinking
29 upvotes
Lucas Nelson
facts
24 upvotes
Jace Long
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
14 upvotes
Leah Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
12 upvotes
Hunter Thomas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
11 upvotes
Ezra W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Dominic A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is solid in most areas.
7 upvotes
Leo Kelly
been saying this for years
7 upvotes
david_girl
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes 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 solid. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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