Homes are going for about $382,400 on average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 177K people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Does this match your experience? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
34 upvotes
11 Replies
Colton Collins
good to know, thanks
40 upvotes
Ariana Young
following this thread
35 upvotes
Jaxon Rogers
I work in consulting here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Kathleen C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Pittsburgh it's pretty good.
25 upvotes
Dylan
Used to live on the West side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
21 upvotes
Wesley Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 57, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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
Gabriel Murphy
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
18 upvotes
Hannah Smith
good to know, thanks
15 upvotes
Teresa P.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Amy G.
I've lived in Fairview for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- The nightlife scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Michael Diaz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
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