Anyone else feel this way? I work in legal and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $130,795, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $661,500, which is pretty steep. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Roman Watson
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much growing but now it's solid.
38 upvotes
Joshua C.
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Wesley Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Old Town and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
32 upvotes
Asher Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 36, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in North and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
28 upvotes
Melanie R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Mateo Morris
good to know, thanks
22 upvotes
Madelyn Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Tampa about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Thomas Murphy
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Greenfield area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Easton
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
isaac_fan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Joshua Collins
hard disagree but ok
14 upvotes
Lucas
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
Amelia Perez
Totally agree!
6 upvotes
Grayson Johnson
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cultural scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Julia B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Sunset schools are pretty good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Nightlife is limited. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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