Most overrated things about Lucas Valley-Marinwood
Anyone else feel this way? I've been here for 14 years and Crime rate is something to consider -Lucas Valley-Marinwood sits at 146.1 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 6,331 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. What are your go-to spots? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Kimberly L.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Hudson Jimenez
+1
36 upvotes
Brooks D.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is improving in most areas.
33 upvotes
kinsley_chef
I've lived in North for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The food scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Eli Cooper
underrated comment
26 upvotes
aurora_chef
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 42, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in South and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
25 upvotes
Caroline Anderson
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Kenneth P.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
William Alvarez
couldn't agree more
18 upvotes
Sarah
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Hazel
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Angel Perez
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
4 upvotes
Nevaeh Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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