How are the schools in California Polytechnic State University?
Longtime lurker here, My family moved here when I was a kid. The unemployment rate is 5.9%, which is about average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Mackenzie Evans
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Gabriel Wilson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
26 upvotes
Silas Parker
great question, following
23 upvotes
Scarlett M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Jose Cooper
Totally agree!
21 upvotes
raleigh_ruby
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Michael Walker
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
bostonlocal2020
I'm a accountant and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Sebastian Nguyen
great question, following
11 upvotes
living_valentina55
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
Aaron Evans
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
delilah_native
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 31, moved here 6 years ago from New York. I've lived in Sunset and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. tough 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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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