So, I've been here for 16 years and The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 170K people. Homes are going for about $409,100 on average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I overthinking this? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development.
20 upvotes
11 Replies
sflover2024
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Maya N.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
32 upvotes
Andrew S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 30, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
31 upvotes
Joseph Reed
Moved here from Seattle about 8 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to walkability but Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
river_sarah72
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The safety is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Alice
following this thread
26 upvotes
Allison
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 44, moved here 14 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Pine Hills and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. 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.
26 upvotes
Ian
This.
24 upvotes
indymind2025
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Paisley Hill
bump
13 upvotes
Lisa L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- 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 manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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