Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a 46-year-old contractor and The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $366,000, which seems about average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
27 upvotes
26 Replies
James M.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Jayden C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Emma Foster
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Wyatt Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 4 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Kaylee Roberts
noted, appreciate it
34 upvotes
Owen Jones
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
31 upvotes
Skylar Collins
+1
30 upvotes
Jonathan Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Mateo Long
I work in tech here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Hannah O.
Came here for school and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor recreation is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Evelyn Young
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Hannah Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Joseph H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Xavier Jackson
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Sofia
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor recreation is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Elijah S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 38, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
17 upvotes
Isaiah Moore
I've lived in North for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Caroline Ramirez
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
14 upvotes
Bennett B.
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Luna Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Dylan Patel
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Ellie Stewart
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
Lucas Myers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Cooper R.
wish I knew this sooner
8 upvotes
Harper J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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