Curious what people think. I'm a teacher here and With a population of 15,100, Vandalia is a small town. Rent is about $863/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
3 upvotes
7 Replies
Mason Smith
it depends on the neighborhood
39 upvotes
Ian M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 8 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Leo Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Carter Wilson
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
20 upvotes
chicagorunner2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Madelyn Green
Saving this thread
11 upvotes
Sarah A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
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