Worst things about North Fair Oaks nobody talks about
Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $1,209,600 on average. Median household income is $106,690, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Sadie Long
hard disagree but ok
38 upvotes
Robert Garcia
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
38 upvotes
Sadie Bennett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
35 upvotes
Kayden Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 45, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
34 upvotes
Teresa P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Dominic K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Jackson Bailey
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Leo Walker
Used to live on the West side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
23 upvotes
Noah M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
23 upvotes
Emmett R.
bump
18 upvotes
Naomi Moore
+1
12 upvotes
Isabella Chavez
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The housing market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Brielle Gonzalez
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
11 upvotes
James Morgan
I work in healthcare here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Melanie
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 7 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. East schools are decent. 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. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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