Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2010. Household incomes average around $124,036 in Kettering. Poverty rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $416,500, which is pretty steep. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Has anyone dealt with this? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to.
8 upvotes
8 Replies
Sarah Howard
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 13 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Jaxon
I'm a writer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
vegas_piper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
32 upvotes
Xavier Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
22 upvotes
emilia_life
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
desert_amelia89
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is tough in most areas.
7 upvotes
Reagan Martinez
it depends on the neighborhood
3 upvotes
Sophia Morales
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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