Hey, Homes are going for about $1,466,000 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Encinitas sits at 135.8 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
28 upvotes
24 Replies
Roman Kelly
Saving this thread
40 upvotes
Alice C.
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
Mateo Ramirez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
36 upvotes
David Williams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
adrian_papa
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Westside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
35 upvotes
Nevaeh
100%
34 upvotes
Melanie W.
couldn't agree more
32 upvotes
Beverly H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 10 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. East 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
raleigh_ellie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 28, moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in The Heights and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
27 upvotes
Bella Kim
big facts right here
27 upvotes
Declan W.
accurate
26 upvotes
Anna W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Anna Ward
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Sophia Flores
100%
20 upvotes
Daniel Rogers
I'm a writer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Aubrey Cox
Saving this thread
16 upvotes
Sadie R.
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Lucy Roberts
nah I disagree
13 upvotes
Sadie Clark
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much affordable but now it's challenging.
11 upvotes
Axel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Luke Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 5 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Springfield 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Nightlife is limited. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Delilah A.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Cedar Grove area are challenging. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
orlandopapa2025
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Salt Lake City it's excellent.
All Countries
