Hi all, Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Joshua Patel
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Avery Harris
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
37 upvotes
Jayden Jimenez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
30 upvotes
Emily Castillo
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
19 upvotes
Angel K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Westside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
12 upvotes
Kinsley Sanders
this is the way
12 upvotes
Naomi Cox
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Weston Jones
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
5 upvotes
Madeline White
This.
1 upvotes
Aria Brooks
Used to live on the East side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
0 upvotes
Ezra Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 14 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
retail is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are improving. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.