Curious what people think. I'm a remote worker and It's a a small town city with about 22,370 people. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Anyone in a similar situation?
2 upvotes
12 Replies
cool_kennedy77
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
39 upvotes
Nova James
underrated comment
33 upvotes
charlotte_jameson
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
Gabriella Mitchell
lol so true
30 upvotes
Owen Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. food 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.
29 upvotes
Parker W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 14 years. Moved from Phoenix for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Naomi Nelson
Moved here from Houston about 7 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to walkability but Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Samuel N.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Southern places. the quality of life is solid.
12 upvotes
Isabelle Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Cameron King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 46, moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in North and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
11 upvotes
Savannah Kim
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
4 upvotes
Leah Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from Portland for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Chain restaurants dominate. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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