Hey, I relocated for work and With a population of 58,561, Gilroy is a smaller city. Median household income is $131,554, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development.
13 upvotes
24 Replies
evelyn_papa
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 15 years. Moved from Houston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Westside schools are tough. 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. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Cameron Baker
lol so true
36 upvotes
Isaiah
100%
33 upvotes
Katherine B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
31 upvotes
Brielle H.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
30 upvotes
Charles C.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Nolan Morris
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 53, moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Pine Hills and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 San Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
25 upvotes
Henry Anderson
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Carter Anderson
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
atlwalker2023
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
Emily Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Sophie Moore
facts
20 upvotes
James Chavez
this is the way
19 upvotes
Genesis Thompson
I work in marketing here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is better than expected. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Dylan R.
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Audrey W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 27, moved here 14 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Samantha R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Elijah D.
I've lived in Riverside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
James T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 9 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - 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. North 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Bobby J.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Victoria
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
3 upvotes
Jerry G.
yeah no that's not right
2 upvotes
Isaiah Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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