Curious what people think. I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $2,853 for rent here. Homes are going for about $689,400 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
14 upvotes
18 Replies
Valentina Murphy
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Mexican places. it was the best decision I ever made.
37 upvotes
Everly
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great craft beer places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Lucy Cruz
I've lived in Eastside for about 2 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 Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cost of living scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Ruby Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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 tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
nola_abigail
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
29 upvotes
Evan C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
29 upvotes
waylon_kid
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Madeline P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Springfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
22 upvotes
native_noah56
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
15 upvotes
Xavier Cooper
100%
15 upvotes
Logan Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Miami about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Eleanor Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Baltimore about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Peyton
bump
8 upvotes
Jeremiah Nguyen
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Austin Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 10 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Meadowbrook schools are challenging. 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. Can feel isolated. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Nolan
Moved here from Boston about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to food scene but No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Matthew Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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