Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. Rent is about $1,417/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I overthinking this? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
11 upvotes
7 Replies
Nova Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
35 upvotes
Eva Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 2 years. Moved from Minneapolis 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 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Sunset 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. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Owen Rodriguez
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
23 upvotes
Addison M.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much established but now it's better than expected.
23 upvotes
Jeremiah Cook
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Bella Hall
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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