Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Emilia Gutierrez
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Lillian Lee
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
34 upvotes
isaac_fan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 8 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown 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. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Ruby Gonzalez
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
30 upvotes
Allison Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Tampa about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
cool_daniel95
I've lived in Westside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Everly Reed
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 Phoenix for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Michael Bennett
I'm a data analyst and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Vivian Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Elizabeth Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Kinsley S.
yeah no that's not right
6 upvotes
Aaron R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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