Hey, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a smaller city city with about 67,952 people. Rent is about $2,794/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Harper Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 5 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains 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 improving. 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Brielle C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
30 upvotes
mason_dude
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Gabriella M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 30, moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Greenfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
27 upvotes
Logan Y.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The job market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Jameson Patel
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Leonardo Cruz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
16 upvotes
Jace Scott
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Houston about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Evan Cox
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Violet S.
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Henry Campbell
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Isabelle Brooks
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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