Hello, The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 12.8%, which is around average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
12 upvotes
25 Replies
Colton Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 36, moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
39 upvotes
Aaron R.
I've lived in South for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The outdoor recreation scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Owen Gutierrez
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Downtown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Abigail Anderson
I'm a lawyer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Valentina Richardson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Seattle it's challenging.
37 upvotes
Zoe P.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
Jeremiah W.
Moved here from Chicago about 8 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to public transit but Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Miles Hill
I'm a sales manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
James Rogers
literally same
31 upvotes
Isla Scott
Bought a house here in 2022 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Serenity Martinez
I've lived in Fairview for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Noah L.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
atllife2023
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Parker W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 49, moved here 12 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. average 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
18 upvotes
Katherine Clark
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to San Diego it's excellent.
17 upvotes
Ella Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Vivian D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 31, moved here 14 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Springfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
12 upvotes
tampagirl2023
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Hannah Howard
lol so true
11 upvotes
Sadie
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Mackenzie Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Nathan R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
9 upvotes
Alice Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Chicago 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 Midtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Chloe
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
5 upvotes
columbusvibes2022
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cost of living is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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