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Brooklyn Rodriguez
housing
Studio apartments in Gonzales -options?
Longtime lurker here, Let me know your thoughts. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
9 upvotes
5 Replies
Evan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 58, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 San Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a project manager, 58, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 San Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
36 upvotes
Grayson R.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
14 upvotes
Lucas Edwards
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Pine Hills area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Luna W.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Andrew P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 57, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 57, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
8 upvotes