Hey everyone, I'm retired and Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. With a population of 21,119, Hanahan is a small town. Household incomes average around $84,061 in Hanahan. You can expect to pay around $1,324 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Anyone in a similar situation? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
2 upvotes
11 Replies
Benjamin Murphy
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
40 upvotes
Claire Castillo
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
40 upvotes
Natalie Nguyen
great question, following
38 upvotes
Lily R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 1 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Sunset 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. Limited public transit options. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Connor Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (North) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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
Wesley Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 58, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Pine Hills and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
32 upvotes
allison_mama
Came here for family and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The job market is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Bennett C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Rylee Gray
underrated comment
11 upvotes
isabelle_runner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 58, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. improving 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 developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
10 upvotes
Paisley Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails 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 decent. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
