Homes are going for about $321,000 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Tarpon Springs sits at 394.7 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to.
20 upvotes
17 Replies
Sara H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 1 years. Moved from LA for a fresh start. 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 up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests 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 pretty good. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Alexa J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Julian Mendoza
I've lived in Oak Park for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The housing market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Janice S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Boston about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Adrian Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance 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 better than expected - 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. Cedar Grove schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Willow Jimenez
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great BBQ places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
19 upvotes
kai_girl
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
17 upvotes
Aubrey Bennett
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 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 Nashville, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
austin_aiden
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Southern places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
14 upvotes
Declan A.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Korean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
14 upvotes
Andrew R.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Elena Rogers
spot on
9 upvotes
fresno_alexander
hmm interesting perspective
7 upvotes
Nathan R.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Everly Mitchell
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
Jennifer E.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much competitive but now it's surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
Isabelle T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
