Been meaning to ask this. Homes are going for about $414,700 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
10 upvotes
8 Replies
Nolan Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
40 upvotes
Leonardo Wilson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Jayden Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Aiden W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 37, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Highland and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
22 upvotes
Maverick Ramos
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
18 upvotes
Eliana Mitchell
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Richard S.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The weather is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
2 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
Moved here from New York about 2 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to food scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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