OK so My partner and I are Household incomes average around $139,263 in Folsom. Median household income is $139,263, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Folsom sits at 102.6 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Anyone in a similar situation? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
24 upvotes
21 Replies
portland_lydia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Charlotte Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Clara J.
seconding this
35 upvotes
austin_ruby
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
35 upvotes
Mason Watson
preach
35 upvotes
David S.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
24 upvotes
Logan Mitchell
wish I knew this sooner
21 upvotes
Chloe Rogers
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The healthcare is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Samuel N.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much pricey but now it's average.
18 upvotes
miami_angel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Isla W.
thanks for sharing
16 upvotes
Elijah Phillips
Bought a house here in 2017 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
Isabelle Morgan
been saying this for years
12 upvotes
Violet Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 27, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Midtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
12 upvotes
Jose
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
9 upvotes
houstonkid2026
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
boston_cooper
literally same
7 upvotes
Nicholas Edwards
100%
7 upvotes
Sophia T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Jeremiah Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 15 years. Moved from Tampa for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty 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 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Parker G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.