Hey, My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $92,009 in Unionville. Rent is about $1,060/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Kennedy Ward
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (North) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
40 upvotes
bostonrunner2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
David Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Raleigh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - 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. West schools are excellent. 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 high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
Michael Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Miami about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Chloe Hernandez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 10 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Uptown schools are solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Emma Lewis
Moved here from Charlotte about 4 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to school system but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Eli
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
8 upvotes
Carson C.
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
Elizabeth Rogers
big facts right here
5 upvotes
Kennedy Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Anna
I've lived in Fairview for about 13 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
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