Anyone else feel this way? Rent is about $1,892/month for a decent place. With a population of 112K, Downey is a mid-size city. Household incomes average around $87,400 in Downey. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Growing food scene
- Lots of new development
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Limited cultural events
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homelessness issues downtown
Anyone in a similar situation? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
19 upvotes
26 Replies
Silas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 4 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are excellent. 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Hailey Johnson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Dallas about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Roman Ward
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
nycnative2020
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Jace Foster
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Ian Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 12 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails 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 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Kennedy W.
Came here for school and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
atl_lillian
interesting, hadn't considered that
29 upvotes
charlotte_julia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
phoenix_nora
I've lived in Old Town for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Ryan H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Jackson J.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
20 upvotes
Andrew Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 3 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are solid. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Hunter Price
yeah no that's not right
17 upvotes
Sean T.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
Victoria Bailey
not my experience at all
13 upvotes
Julia Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago 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 Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Christina K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 9 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
tulsa_elena
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Paisley Howard
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Amelia P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Quinn Baker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Weston C.
seconding this
5 upvotes
Audrey Reed
I work in consulting here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
John W.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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