So, I work in automotive and Rent is about $3,501/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $2,000,001, which is pretty steep. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Has anyone dealt with this? Thanks! The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Chloe
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The healthcare is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Mia R.
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
Ryan C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - 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 weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
34 upvotes
Leah Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
hospitality is strong here. consulting 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - 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. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Lucy Watson
Bought a house here in 2015 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
27 upvotes
Roman Walker
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The nightlife is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Amelia B.
following this thread
23 upvotes
Harold C.
interesting, hadn't considered that
23 upvotes
Eliana H.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
20 upvotes
Daniel James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Charlotte Gutierrez
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
6 upvotes
Colton Collins
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Highland area are tough. Kids love it here.
2 upvotes
Patrick G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Harper Myers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Atlanta it's challenging.
All Countries
