Longtime lurker here, We have two kids and It's a a small town city with about 23,314 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Any advice would be great.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Lydia H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Dominic Wood
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Theodore J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 54, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in North and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
26 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Karen P.
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Hunter Bailey
I've lived in Sunset for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The nightlife scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Ian Ruiz
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Jackson Adams
good to know, thanks
12 upvotes
Aurora Kelly
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Maple Ridge area are challenging. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Roman Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Boston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
James W.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Sara H.
accurate
9 upvotes
Rylee Wright
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Midtown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Samuel Morris
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
phillygirl2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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