Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $601 for rent here. Rent is about $601/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $37,827 in Smithfield. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Any advice would be great. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
11 upvotes
11 Replies
jose_mind
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Seattle 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 Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
desert_chloe70
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Elijah Morgan
following this thread
32 upvotes
Valentina Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Genesis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 4 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are underrated. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Wesley D.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
oaklandlife2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Audrey Rivera
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Madelyn Baker
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Southern places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
7 upvotes
Anna Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
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