Anyone else feel this way? Born and raised here. Household incomes average around $192,821 in Victoria. Homes are going for about $572,800 on average. Poverty rate is 0.7%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $572,800, which is pretty steep. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Friendly people
- Growing food scene
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Limited nightlife
- Sprawl everywhere
- Limited dining options
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Not enough green space
Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
9 upvotes
10 Replies
Greyson Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Isaiah Myers
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
Jack W.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Lucy Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from San Francisco for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
tech is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts 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 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. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Hailey Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 9 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes 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 decent. 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 housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
Sadie Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Landon Hall
glad someone said it
11 upvotes
Anna Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 44, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Oak Park and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
9 upvotes
Violet Turner
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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