I'm single, late 50s, and You can expect to pay around $1,227 for rent here. Household incomes average around $75,344 in Newman. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I overthinking this? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up.
2 upvotes
10 Replies
Sophie Thomas
100%
33 upvotes
Noah Anderson
facts
33 upvotes
Madelyn B.
I'm a project manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Chloe Torres
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is decent in most areas.
25 upvotes
Levi Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Highland and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
18 upvotes
Isaac Rivera
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is solid in most areas.
11 upvotes
Jeremiah Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Waylon
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 Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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 challenging. 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. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Claire
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
7 upvotes
born_evelyn31
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much stable but now it's excellent.