Hey everyone, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Is this normal for Boca Raton? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
18 Replies
Hailey Carter
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Luca Watson
I've lived in Westside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Willow Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 35, moved here 1 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Riverside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
35 upvotes
Adeline Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Ryan C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are surprisingly 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Jeremiah S.
seconding this
23 upvotes
Scarlett Ruiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
16 upvotes
Christian J.
bump
15 upvotes
Abigail M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
William S.
I work in healthcare here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Charlotte Moore
Came here for family and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The food scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Jonathan Green
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. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
4 upvotes
Ella S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. improving 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 Tampa, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
4 upvotes
Ezekiel G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Audrey Wilson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Salt Lake City it's tough.
3 upvotes
Kayden Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are excellent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Greyson Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
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