Been meaning to ask this. The median home value here is around $707,700, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -Indian Rocks Beach sits at 185.4 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thoughts?
12 upvotes
9 Replies
Denise M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Diego about 14 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Brooks Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Melanie White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 29, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Highland and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
17 upvotes
Isabella Rodriguez
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
11 upvotes
Julia Nelson
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Henry J.
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
9 upvotes
Nathan P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
8 upvotes
Madelyn Wilson
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Eli Nguyen
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The dating scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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