Longtime lurker here, I relocated for work and It's a a smaller city city with about 27,902 people. The unemployment rate is 4.8%, which is about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Does this match your experience? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
24 upvotes
23 Replies
Avery Reyes
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Robert Garcia
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
36 upvotes
William Baker
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
34 upvotes
Michael C.
facts
34 upvotes
Ellie Thomas
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
austin_skylar
I work in real estate here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Sarah Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Clara L.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Katherine Martinez
nah I disagree
27 upvotes
Jordan Castillo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather 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 Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
21 upvotes
Willow Flores
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Tyler T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks 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 underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Leah Bennett
nah I disagree
15 upvotes
Ella Kelly
not my experience at all
14 upvotes
Peyton
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview 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. Winters are long and cold. Urban sprawl is real. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Piper Walker
interesting, hadn't considered that
12 upvotes
Jose Watson
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Miles Collins
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Adam Gomez
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
2 upvotes
Olivia
couldn't agree more
2 upvotes
Isaiah C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Eugene S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Lydia Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
All Countries
