Median household income is $106,603, which feels pretty solid for the area. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Anyone in a similar situation? The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
21 upvotes
15 Replies
Mia Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Savannah Reyes
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Hailey Gutierrez
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Sophia James
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Arianna Campbell
yep
35 upvotes
Mateo Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 54, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Sunset and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Parker Long
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The outdoor recreation is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Adrian Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Miami about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Claire Gomez
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Oliver Martin
facts
19 upvotes
Evan Torres
Moved here from Chicago about 10 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to housing market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Liam Gutierrez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Noah Hernandez
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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