Working in Catalina Foothills -salaries realistic?
Alright, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 51,756 people. Homes are going for about $604,100 on average. Household incomes average around $113,201 in Catalina Foothills. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Is this normal for Catalina Foothills? Thanks for reading. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Audrey Stewart
spot on
40 upvotes
Charlotte Roberts
yep
32 upvotes
Brooklyn Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 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..
29 upvotes
Isaac Evans
I'm a HR manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Alexander A.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
25 upvotes
Lillian Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 11 years. Moved from San Diego for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are improving. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Zoe Garcia
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Avery Gomez
Bought a house here in 2019 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
18 upvotes
Ralph T.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
14 upvotes
Naomi Lopez
I'm a nurse and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Brooks
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
luke_fan
seconding this
9 upvotes
milwaukeekid2020
nah I disagree
8 upvotes
Aubrey L.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
raised_joshua60
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 52, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Westside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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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