Hello, I'm single, late 20s, and Poverty rate is 5.4%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. What do you all think?
14 upvotes
23 Replies
Leah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 14 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 improving. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Riley Miller
I've lived in South for about 11 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Jackson Howard
Bought a house here in 2015 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
36 upvotes
Aaron Cox
Saving this thread
35 upvotes
Valentina
big facts right here
33 upvotes
Jerry G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in North and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
30 upvotes
Weston Watson
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Nova Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Bennett Lopez
accurate
28 upvotes
lily_kid
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 14 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. finance 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are pretty good. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Sophie
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Ezra Hughes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Wesley Cooper
Moved here from Miami about 9 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to food scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Gabriel Hall
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Nashville about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Grace Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Anna Edwards
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Isaac Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 10 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. East schools are better than expected. 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 entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Amelia Allen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 44, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
7 upvotes
Lillian White
thanks for sharing
7 upvotes
Wyatt Lopez
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Victoria C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Adeline Cruz
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
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