OK so Crime rate is something to consider -Burlington sits at 154.7 per 100K. With a population of 26,223, Burlington is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this? Appreciate any input. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
23 upvotes
6 Replies
Everett Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Grace Anderson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Stella Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 15 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are hit or miss. 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Amelia Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Emmett Adams
Moved here last year, no regrets.
6 upvotes
Violet Robinson
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.