We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -West Falls Church sits at 130.5 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. It's a a smaller city city with about 30,660 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
6 upvotes
3 Replies
Logan C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 36, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
40 upvotes
Joseph J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Jaxon Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 48, moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Riverside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Charlotte, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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