Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Bel Air South sits at 468.4 per 100K. The median home value here is around $384,000, which seems about average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. What do you all think? Thanks for reading. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Santiago Rodriguez
good to know, thanks
40 upvotes
Adrian J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from New York about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Peyton
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 54, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Highland and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
33 upvotes
William Turner
Moved here from Dallas about 15 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cultural scene but Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Josiah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
27 upvotes
Maverick Patel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Springfield) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
27 upvotes
Adam Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
25 upvotes
Pamela B.
same here
20 upvotes
Austin P.
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Willow Stewart
Bought a house here in 2019 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
14 upvotes
Evelyn Richardson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Mateo James
yep
2 upvotes
Ava King
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Allison Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 53, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. solid 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 Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
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