Anyone else feel this way? Rent is about $2,730/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Encinitas sits at 135.8 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development.
1 upvotes
30 Replies
Joseph J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Miami it's better than expected.
40 upvotes
Kinsley Wood
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Brielle Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Autumn Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 51, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Midtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
36 upvotes
Michael Phillips
interesting, hadn't considered that
36 upvotes
Jayden Evans
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Old Town area are challenging. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Leonardo T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is solid in most areas.
35 upvotes
Jack C.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Sebastian Ruiz
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Arianna L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Maverick P.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cultural scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Kaylee Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Luke M.
I've lived in West for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Leah N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. 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. Westside 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 public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Sadie Long
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from LA for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
government is strong here. education 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Westside schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Cooper Baker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Isaac Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
14 upvotes
Ellie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Lucy G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
9 upvotes
Sophia Hughes
following this thread
7 upvotes
raised_aiden55
I work in government here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is average. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Nevaeh Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 11 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. 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. Pine Hills 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Isla Harris
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
eva_native
interesting, hadn't considered that
6 upvotes
Charlotte P.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
Alice Hernandez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Salt Lake City it's surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
Aiden Collins
lol so true
3 upvotes
Christian J.
This.
3 upvotes
Everett Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 1 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches 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 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. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Thomas Long
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's excellent.
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