Anyone else feel this way? It's a a smaller city city with about 40,996 people. Median household income is $100,022, which feels pretty solid for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Does this match your experience? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
1 upvotes
8 Replies
Leonardo C.
Moved here from Houston about 4 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to food scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Chloe Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 54, moved here 1 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
38 upvotes
William
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Nora Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Peyton Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 51, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - 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 weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Raleigh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
19 upvotes
Delilah Kelly
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
14 upvotes
Sarah
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 New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. finance 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 improving - we have state parks 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 solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Willow N.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
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