Curious what people think. I'm single, late 40s, and Median household income is $53,885, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $164,200 on average. The median home value here is around $164,200, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider -Kingston sits at 153.3 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Close to nature
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Limited nightlife
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Homelessness issues downtown
- Not enough green space
Any advice would be great. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Madeline Kim
Moved here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Eliana Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 15 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes 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 improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Natalie Phillips
100%
34 upvotes
Weston Sanders
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Midtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
25 upvotes
Leah Wright
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Hudson N.
noted, appreciate it
16 upvotes
Everett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Luca Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Genesis Cruz
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great craft beer places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
14 upvotes
Brooklyn Peterson
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Italian places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
13 upvotes
Declan M.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The housing market is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Roman Morgan
I work in healthcare here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
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