I'm originally from Seattle and Rent is about $1,908/month for a decent place. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
1 upvotes
15 Replies
Peyton Turner
Moved here last year, no regrets.
36 upvotes
Abigail Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 14 years. Moved from Austin 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 about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. healthcare 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Alice White
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is decent in most areas.
28 upvotes
Lily Morris
glad someone said it
26 upvotes
Victoria Williams
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Lily Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 48, moved here 3 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
26 upvotes
cora_dude
accurate
18 upvotes
David Alvarez
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
17 upvotes
mesa_jaxon
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Lawrence A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Chicago about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Colton
accurate
14 upvotes
Rylee A.
haha yep pretty much
10 upvotes
indylocal2020
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
5 upvotes
Rylee Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 13 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Old Town 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Madeline Young
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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