Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a 23-year-old HR manager and It's a a smaller city city with about 25,897 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Imperial Beach sits at 261.0 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. Let me know your thoughts. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
24 upvotes
7 Replies
Charlotte W.
seconding this
38 upvotes
Ezekiel T.
haha yep pretty much
36 upvotes
Scarlett P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
34 upvotes
Evan Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Phoenix about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Isabella
I've lived in Old Town for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Nevaeh Thomas
haha yep pretty much
15 upvotes
Aaliyah G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
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