Hey, Been living here since 2007. Poverty rate is 18.4%, which is higher than I expected. The suburbs are where most families end up. Should I be concerned? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Noah Nguyen
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Kennedy Mendoza
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 14 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Sunset and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
37 upvotes
Jace Myers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Benjamin Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Cameron Thompson
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
16 upvotes
Willow Moore
+1
15 upvotes
Michael Hughes
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Victoria Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
10 upvotes
Greyson Evans
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Brielle H.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Downtown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Henry Ramos
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Aurora E.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
cameron_girl
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 25, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in South and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. average 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 Nashville, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
1 upvotes
Landon Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 57, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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