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Deborah R. living

Honest thoughts on life in Carmichael

Alright, I'm originally from Kansas City and What do you all think?
29 upvotes

24 Replies

Brooks Price
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
Colton
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Chicago for school. 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 significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails 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 average. 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Kathryn H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Landon Phillips
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
28 upvotes
jeremiah_mama
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 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:**
government is strong here. education 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:**
the quality of life is solid. 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. Westside 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. Rising rent and home prices. Road conditions need improvement. And traffic can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
kennedy_rider
been saying this for years
25 upvotes
Eva R.
same here
24 upvotes
Christian Phillips
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
- The community vibe scene is hit or miss

The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Olivia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Hunter Reed
I'm a electrician and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Hunter Garcia
this is the way
20 upvotes
Hazel Bennett
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Weston Hernandez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is improving in most areas.
16 upvotes
Daniel M.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
15 upvotes
Sophia W.
yeah no that's not right
14 upvotes
Elena Phillips
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
lake_maverick95
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Evan C.
I work in real estate here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is average. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Genesis Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.

I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Angel Jackson
same here
6 upvotes
Cameron Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Highland) is pricey 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 Summers can be brutally hot.

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.
5 upvotes
Nathan
couldn't agree more
5 upvotes
Aaliyah Cook
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Grayson M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Riverside 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
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