Hello, Poverty rate is 7.6%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I overthinking this? Thanks! Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
0 upvotes
2 Replies
Kevin J.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Indian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
27 upvotes
native_noah56
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 57, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Urban sprawl is real
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.