Been living here since 2007. It's a a small town city with about 10,490 people. Rent is about $871/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Melanie W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Connor Jones
I've lived in Fairview for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Sadie Ross
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Hailey Castillo
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
31 upvotes
violet_lover
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
28 upvotes
Greyson Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 3 years. Moved from Nashville for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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 public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Nicholas
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Owen Wilson
I work in consulting here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Everett
facts
15 upvotes
austinrider2024
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 1 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Jordan T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is solid in most areas.
9 upvotes
Mason Taylor
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
Luna Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Lily G.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Lucas C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Riverside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
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