Hey everyone, Born and raised here. The median home value here is around $702,200, which is pretty steep. With a population of 82,140, Folsom is a smaller city. Median household income is $139,263, which feels pretty solid for the area. Household incomes average around $139,263 in Folsom. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low crime in most areas
- Close to nature
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Limited dining options
Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
30 upvotes
28 Replies
Emilia Ramirez
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
34 upvotes
Ryan J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Lydia Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 46, moved here 7 years ago from New York. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
31 upvotes
Julian Jones
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
31 upvotes
Paisley T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Atlanta about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Santiago Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Madeline Wood
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Evelyn Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 27, moved here 11 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
27 upvotes
Cameron W.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Nicholas
I'm a sales manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Xavier Flores
spot on
26 upvotes
Sarah Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Nova S.
I've lived in Springfield for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Jayden C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Isaac
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The walkability is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Carson Baker
haha yep pretty much
21 upvotes
Judith M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. East schools are excellent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Olivia P.
accurate
17 upvotes
Nora Green
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Dominic Jones
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
13 upvotes
Jeremiah
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Miles Johnson
big facts right here
8 upvotes
Sebastian White
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Everett Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Portland about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Wesley M.
exactly what I was thinking
7 upvotes
Isabella Gonzalez
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Henry Scott
I'm a electrician and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
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