OK so Born and raised here. Rent is about $1,144/month for a decent place. Median household income is $108,750, which feels pretty solid for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Should I be concerned? Appreciate any input.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Claire
interesting, hadn't considered that
39 upvotes
Gabriel Wright
Bought a house here in 2020 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
38 upvotes
Daniel Ramos
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Denver about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Gabriella Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Genesis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 6 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. 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. Fairview schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
kc_avery
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Reagan Alvarez
nah I disagree
19 upvotes
Weston
Used to live on the West side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
14 upvotes
Piper Ramirez
hard disagree but ok
10 upvotes
Brooklyn
exactly what I was thinking
10 upvotes
Santiago Green
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The safety is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Katherine C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Jose Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.