Hello, Household incomes average around $168,832 in Burlingame. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
19 upvotes
27 Replies
detroitmind2020
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
38 upvotes
Evan Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable 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 better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Serenity Miller
honestly same experience here
38 upvotes
Adrian Flores
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Silas Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 24, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Downtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
33 upvotes
Matthew White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
construction is strong here. real estate 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Highland schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Audrey Foster
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The traffic is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Bella C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Everett Hill
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much competitive but now it's average.
27 upvotes
Austin K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Isaiah Campbell
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much developing but now it's average.
25 upvotes
Jayden W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Jack Parker
seconding this
21 upvotes
Ruby
haha yep pretty much
19 upvotes
Nora Morgan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Isla Parker
I've lived in Oak Park for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Luca E.
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Greyson Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Miami about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Lori C.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
15 upvotes
Alexander Brown
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Valentina Diaz
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
11 upvotes
real_liam44
I'm a project manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
desert_jonathan28
interesting, hadn't considered that
10 upvotes
Joseph B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Riverside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene 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.
9 upvotes
Aurora P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
noladude2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from New York about 2 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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