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Oliver Howard housing

Rent vs buy in North Fair Oaks -what makes sense?

OK so I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $1,209,600, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $106,690, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a small town city with about 13,327 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Is this normal for North Fair Oaks? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
11 upvotes

3 Replies

Serenity E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Eastside for 9 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. 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 about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Eastside schools are underrated. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Far from beaches/mountains. And housing market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Autumn K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Maple Ridge for 10 years. Moved from Charlotte for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And public transit can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Olivia Price
yeah no that's not right
7 upvotes
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