Poverty rate is 14.5%, which is around average. You can expect to pay around $912 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience?
22 upvotes
13 Replies
Isla Davis
Moved here from Austin about 7 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to walkability but Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Santiago Brooks
yeah no that's not right
34 upvotes
Benjamin H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Bella Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Cooper Peterson
nah I disagree
30 upvotes
Jace Hughes
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
25 upvotes
Weston Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Arianna T.
Saving this thread
13 upvotes
native_adeline27
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Amelia Cruz
noted, appreciate it
8 upvotes
Robert Rivera
Moved here from Phoenix about 5 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to school system but Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Hazel P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Highland) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
1 upvotes
Luca L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks 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 hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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