Any advice would be great. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Owen Turner
I've lived in Fairview for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Harper Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Axel A.
yeah no that's not right
31 upvotes
Hazel
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 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 Seattle, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Maya H.
literally same
23 upvotes
Maya Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 58, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
23 upvotes
Scarlett W.
lol so true
21 upvotes
Alexa M.
spot on
21 upvotes
Ava R.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Uptown area are underrated. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Sadie S.
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
5 upvotes
Aubrey J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Olivia Jones
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..