Been meaning to ask this. I've been here for 1 years and Crime rate is something to consider -Coco comunidad sits at 2,771.8 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 5.4%, which is about average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Anyone in a similar situation? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
1 upvotes
12 Replies
Miles T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Thomas Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable 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 Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
Leah Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Nevaeh Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
Ella Martinez
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
18 upvotes
Emmett Reyes
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The traffic is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Nova Cook
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is decent in most areas.
12 upvotes
Danielle R.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Piper Brown
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Joseph B.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
2 upvotes
Wesley Y.
Saving this thread
2 upvotes
Zoey Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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