Curious what people think. Crime rate is something to consider -Augusta sits at 263.0 per 100K. Poverty rate is 14.8%, which is around average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Has anyone dealt with this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Madeline Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. consulting 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes 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 better than expected. 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. Property taxes are high. Chain restaurants dominate. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Skylar Anderson
I work in education here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
tampa_piper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Portland about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Violet R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Austin about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Paisley Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Ezekiel Price
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Violet Harris
Moved here from Tampa about 15 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to healthcare but Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Landon Gutierrez
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Vivian W.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
17 upvotes
Carson Roberts
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Charlotte Richardson
I work in consulting here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Alice Flores
Used to live on the East side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
12 upvotes
Thomas Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 35, moved here 2 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
10 upvotes
Everett W.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Springfield area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
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