First post here. We're a young couple and Rent is about $1,868/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $400,100, which is pretty steep. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Any advice would be great. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Paisley Hernandez
100%
38 upvotes
Roger B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Nicholas Torres
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Daniel Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Grayson Jones
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
33 upvotes
Jordan Mendoza
I've lived in Sunset for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Gabriel K.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Hunter J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Easton N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Westside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
12 upvotes
Jaxon Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Atlanta about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Ian
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Xavier Jackson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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