Just moved here 17 months ago and Rent is about $1,823/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 1.3%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Oswego sits at 64.2 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Worth the trade-offs? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
8 upvotes
9 Replies
Emmett Cook
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
35 upvotes
Wesley
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Maya E.
I've lived in West for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Caleb Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 54, moved here 8 years ago from Houston. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
27 upvotes
Lucy Morris
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to LA it's underrated.
24 upvotes
Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
orlando_grace
exactly what I was thinking
15 upvotes
Andrew Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 3 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing 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 hit or miss - 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. Fairview schools are pretty good. 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 shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Roman
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
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