I'm a nurse at the local hospital and It's a a major city city with about 836K people. With a population of 836K, San Francisco is a major city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Let me know your thoughts.
80 upvotes
48 Replies
Jack L.
I've lived in Fairview for about 13 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 Austin, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Evan Hill
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The traffic is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Colton
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Olivia Anderson
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Weston Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Julian K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 34, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Lakewood and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Adam Walker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Jonathan S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Landon C.
I work in tech here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
cincyrunner2022
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Hunter Edwards
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Joseph Ross
yep
31 upvotes
Cooper G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 4 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Springfield 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. Limited high-paying job options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Piper C.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
30 upvotes
Elijah M.
yeah no that's not right
29 upvotes
Carson Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
construction is strong here. finance 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Nora
This.
28 upvotes
Emmett White
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Joseph
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The weather is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
genesis_native
preach
25 upvotes
Allison M.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much developing but now it's pretty good.
25 upvotes
Jeremy C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
25 upvotes
Charlotte Bailey
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Angel Wilson
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Lily
I've lived in Riverside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
loving_leo11
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Austin B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
19 upvotes
Owen Perez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from New York about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Aurora Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Benjamin Cook
Came here for school and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The weather is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
David C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
Evan Rogers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Julian C.
literally same
14 upvotes
Alice P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
14 upvotes
Riley
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Waylon Wilson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Ian A.
following this thread
11 upvotes
Jordan Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 38, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
9 upvotes
Claire
I've lived in Highland for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Sadie G.
preach
8 upvotes
Scarlett Campbell
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
8 upvotes
Thomas Brown
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Rylee Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 39, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Highland and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. solid 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
5 upvotes
Alexa Martin
been saying this for years
5 upvotes
Evan Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Jaxon J.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
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