Hi all, Been living here since 2013. It's a a smaller city city with about 63,348 people. Median household income is $86,618, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Let me know your thoughts. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
28 upvotes
7 Replies
Lily Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 14 years. Moved from San Diego for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Adam
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Everett Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Eastside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
14 upvotes
Isla Price
Moved here from Seattle about 13 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to school system but Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Alexa Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
9 upvotes
Autumn Flores
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Zoe
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 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 West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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