Hey folks, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The median home value here is around $350,500, which seems about average. Median household income is $63,792, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Sun City West sits at 168.1 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Violet Diaz
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Ruby Ruiz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is improving in most areas.
40 upvotes
Declan Moore
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Sebastian Ward
Came here for family and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Jackson Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 56, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Oak Park and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - 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 pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. tough 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
33 upvotes
Jameson Clark
I've lived in Fairview for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The community vibe scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Thomas Ramirez
literally same
22 upvotes
tampagirl2020
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
James Jackson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Grayson Cook
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
Scarlett R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Levi J.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Adam Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
3 upvotes
Michael Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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