Hey, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 8.6%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Is this normal for Colma? Cheers. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Sofia Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Axel Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Angel K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 2 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches 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 surprisingly good. 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Leonardo Cook
lol so true
23 upvotes
Liam Flores
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Willow Bailey
lol so true
16 upvotes
Sebastian Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 58, moved here 7 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
11 upvotes
Brooklyn
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Highland and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 San Francisco, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
10 upvotes
Ryan E.
Totally agree!
9 upvotes
Hudson K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 39, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Midtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 San Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
9 upvotes
raised_delilah25
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is tough in most areas.
4 upvotes
Jaxon M.
spot on
2 upvotes
cool_angel66
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to San Diego it's decent.
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