Random thought, My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $1,673/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 6.8%, which is concerning. Poverty rate is 12.5%, which is around average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Let me know your thoughts. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
19 upvotes
29 Replies
Stella Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Lily Morales
following this thread
40 upvotes
Lydia Y.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Aaliyah Parker
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. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Piper
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
37 upvotes
Lucy K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 2 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains 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 tough. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Caleb Parker
bump
34 upvotes
Declan Morgan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
34 upvotes
Mia Green
lol so true
33 upvotes
Josiah Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Alexa Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 49, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Pine Hills and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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
Aaron
good to know, thanks
26 upvotes
Oliver Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 27, moved here 8 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Sunset and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
25 upvotes
Samuel Scott
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Scarlett Howard
hmm interesting perspective
20 upvotes
Julian Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Sunset schools are hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Gianna Morales
this is the way
16 upvotes
Quinn P.
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Addison Anderson
I'm a HR manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Cooper Thomas
bump
13 upvotes
Angela G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 45, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
10 upvotes
Reagan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Quinn Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Daniel Carter
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Brooklyn Castillo
This.
3 upvotes
Mason Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 27, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
1 upvotes
Luna T.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
0 upvotes
Piper Torres
+1
0 upvotes
Deborah W.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
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