How Do You Find a Reliable Advisor in a Big City?

I've been thinking about getting some professional help to manage my finances—savings, investments, maybe even pension planning.
The problem is, in a big city, there are just so many options. It’s overwhelming.
How do you even begin to sort through them all?
Do you rely on personal recommendations, online reviews, or some kind of certification?
Are there directories or networks that actually help narrow things down?
I’m also wondering how much a good advisor typically costs are the fees usually flat or percentage-based?
And is it better to go with someone local you can meet in person, or is remote just as effective these days?
Security and trust are big factors for me too I’ve heard horror stories about people getting scammed.
So yeah, I’d really appreciate any advice or tips from those who’ve already gone through the process.
What worked for you, and what would you avoid next time?