First post here. I've been here for 4 years and With a population of 2,050, Arcola is a small town. Rent is about $1,117/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Is this normal for Arcola? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to.
6 upvotes
4 Replies
Thomas M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 9 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts 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 pretty good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Claire T.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
26 upvotes
Scarlett Castillo
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
sdrider2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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