Alright, We're a young couple and With a population of 50,835, Delano is a smaller city. Median household income is $61,817, which feels about average for the area. Average temperature is around 64--F, so the weather is moderate. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cheers. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
Emily Torres
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much reasonable but now it's improving.
34 upvotes
tulsarider2024
preach
34 upvotes
Jose Evans
exactly what I was thinking
34 upvotes
Xavier Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails 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 challenging. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Luke Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 40, moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in West and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
29 upvotes
Brielle
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 26, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
23 upvotes
Miles Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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