All Countries
Delilah Lopez
moving
Moving from San Francisco to River Falls next month
Hey, Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Worth the trade-offs?
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Isaac M.
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 LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 surprisingly 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, 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.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 surprisingly 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, 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.
40 upvotes
Thomas M.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Oak Park area are average. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Valentina Kim
noted, appreciate it
38 upvotes
Eleanor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
37 upvotes
Benjamin Anderson
lol so true
31 upvotes
Jonathan Ramirez
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
30 upvotes
Alice Cruz
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Maya Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
26 upvotes
Kinsley Brown
been saying this for years
19 upvotes
Elijah Murphy
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Owen Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Katherine L.
interesting, hadn't considered that
12 upvotes
urban_brooklyn15
it depends on the neighborhood
10 upvotes
Gianna
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
4 upvotes
Eleanor Lopez
I've lived in Downtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes