Curious what people think. With a population of 53,798, Colton is a smaller city. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Would love some local perspective.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Nevaeh Anderson
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Vivian W.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
28 upvotes
Matthew S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Jose Ross
this is the way
20 upvotes
Paisley Ward
as a local I can confirm
17 upvotes
Susan D.
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Ezra O.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
16 upvotes
Aaliyah C.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
15 upvotes
kcliving2026
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. South 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
nolan_soul
preach
10 upvotes
Lydia Stewart
underrated comment
9 upvotes
urban_isaiah61
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Weston K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited entertainment 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.
2 upvotes
Valentina Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
claire_chef
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.