So, Military spouse here. Rent is about $1,371/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $195,700 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Worth the trade-offs? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
11 upvotes
8 Replies
landon_walker
couldn't agree more
40 upvotes
sarah_native
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Carter B.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Miles Jimenez
this is the way
26 upvotes
Aiden Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 53, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in West and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
20 upvotes
Samuel Moore
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
18 upvotes
Amelia
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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