Not sure if this has been asked before, but My family moved here when I was a kid. With a population of 544K, Fresno is a major city. The median home value here is around $348,500, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 16.3%, which is higher than I expected. The unemployment rate is 5.4%, which is about average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Let me know your thoughts. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
36 upvotes
7 Replies
Katherine Torres
same here
33 upvotes
Nova Myers
I've lived in Sunset 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 Chicago, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Grace Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Midtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
27 upvotes
Ethan T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
George H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Charlotte Lewis
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
1 upvotes
Lillian Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 40, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in North and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Phoenix, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
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