I'm single, late 30s, and You can expect to pay around $2,730 for rent here. The median home value here is around $1,466,000, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -Encinitas sits at 135.8 per 100K. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I wrong here? Any help is appreciated. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
21 upvotes
30 Replies
Weston Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Boston about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Luke Reed
This.
35 upvotes
Jean S.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Everly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Old Town) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
34 upvotes
Miles Young
I've lived in Springfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from New York, 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
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is decent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
loving_jameson94
literally same
32 upvotes
Aaron L.
I've lived in South for about 1 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 Chicago, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
- The cost of living scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Aiden Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from LA about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Aurora Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Portland about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Piper Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 5 years. Moved from Dallas for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 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. finance 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 improving - we have lakes 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 decent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Gloria M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 48, moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 San Francisco, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
24 upvotes
Sophia Rivera
interesting, hadn't considered that
23 upvotes
Hannah Ramos
accurate
22 upvotes
mason_guy
hmm interesting perspective
22 upvotes
Mia Mendoza
it depends on the neighborhood
21 upvotes
greyson_living
yep
18 upvotes
Isaac Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Clara G.
lol so true
17 upvotes
Connor Hernandez
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
Gabriella Wilson
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
17 upvotes
Mia M.
following this thread
14 upvotes
Eliana Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
kcmama2020
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Eli
yep
8 upvotes
Ellie Richardson
I've lived in Midtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The walkability scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Ariana Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Parker Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Michael Wright
100%
6 upvotes
Emma Scott
Bought a house here in 2021 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
2 upvotes
Sarah Myers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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