Been meaning to ask this. Crime rate is something to consider -Highland sits at 91.5 per 100K. Household incomes average around $77,886 in Highland. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Would love some local perspective. Appreciate any input. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Eliana Peterson
thanks for sharing
39 upvotes
Charlotte Wright
+1
36 upvotes
Emma Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
33 upvotes
Sophia
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Brooks Green
spot on
27 upvotes
Isabelle Ruiz
Saving this thread
27 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramirez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Ezekiel S.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is excellent in most areas.
21 upvotes
Madeline Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Diego about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Aaliyah Mendoza
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
15 upvotes
Claire Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Noah Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Nathan R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 24, moved here 6 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
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