Not sure if this has been asked before, but We have two kids and With a population of 4,761, Humboldt is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 4,761 people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What do you all think? The suburbs are where most families end up. 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 school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up.
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Austin Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 42, moved here 5 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
39 upvotes
Isaiah Wright
I've lived in Sunset for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
John A.
I'm a electrician and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Andrew Thompson
seconding this
32 upvotes
Sarah A.
nah I disagree
32 upvotes
Aurora Lewis
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Harper Kim
yep
19 upvotes
Ann C.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much wild but now it's tough.
18 upvotes
Jace Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Eli B.
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.
17 upvotes
Olivia Lee
thanks for sharing
17 upvotes
Jameson Watson
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Wesley Rivera
haha yep pretty much
7 upvotes
Connor Cruz
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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