Hi all, My partner and I are Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. With a population of 64,609, Brentwood is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -Brentwood sits at 253.5 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $2,509 for rent here. Homes are going for about $791,600 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Has anyone dealt with this? Appreciate any input. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development.
6 upvotes
24 Replies
Evan
noted, appreciate it
40 upvotes
houston_cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Matthew James
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in The Heights area are excellent. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Aiden Brown
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much developing but now it's better than expected.
32 upvotes
Quinn R.
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Maverick Smith
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The food scene is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Sophie Roberts
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
28 upvotes
mesa_theodore
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
28 upvotes
adeline_guy
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Paisley
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
25 upvotes
Shirley N.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Eva Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Eva Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is decent in most areas.
20 upvotes
local_emily78
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Houston about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Joshua
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
Angel
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much competitive but now it's decent.
16 upvotes
Linda D.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Savannah Reyes
spot on
13 upvotes
Weston A.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
10 upvotes
Avery Chavez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
vegas_carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
7 upvotes
Gabriel Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 53, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Highland and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
6 upvotes
Adeline E.
bump
6 upvotes
Angel Watson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
All Countries
