Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and It's a a small town city with about 2,121 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Ezra Ramirez
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Sunset area are tough. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Joseph Ortiz
preach
35 upvotes
Everly
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: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Gianna J.
honestly same experience here
23 upvotes
Reagan Patel
Bought a house here in 2020 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
23 upvotes
Avery Williams
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Downtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Maya Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 52, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Sunset and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. surprisingly good 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Alexander Lee
I've lived in Fairview for about 14 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 Tampa, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Eli Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 45, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in North and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
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 cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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
Ruby
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Springfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
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