Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2012. Poverty rate is 8.5%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,299/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What do you all think? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
10 upvotes
25 Replies
Maverick Bennett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Tampa it's surprisingly good.
40 upvotes
Christina M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Ruby Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 10 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Sunset schools are underrated. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Quinn Long
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 11 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to traffic but Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
George G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 56, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Springfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - 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 walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
37 upvotes
Nora Lewis
nah I disagree
35 upvotes
Isla Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 11 years. Moved from LA for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Avery
I've lived in Sunset for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is average in most areas.
30 upvotes
Kinsley Wood
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
28 upvotes
Autumn Anderson
it depends on the neighborhood
27 upvotes
Abigail
wish I knew this sooner
27 upvotes
Nicholas Perez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
25 upvotes
Caroline Anderson
I work in healthcare here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Connor Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Addison Jones
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The school system is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Katherine W.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The pet-friendliness is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Nova Ward
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Lakewood area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Amanda W.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Stella W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Midtown schools are average. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And food scene 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.
14 upvotes
Christian Brown
Totally agree!
9 upvotes
Sadie Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 28, moved here 3 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in The Heights and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Nashville, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
9 upvotes
Autumn Allen
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
9 upvotes
Arianna
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
8 upvotes
Leo Price
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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