OK so Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $222,966 in Montecito. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $3,501/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What would you do? TIA! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
10 upvotes
8 Replies
Nathan C.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
34 upvotes
Ariana Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 42, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
33 upvotes
Luca Myers
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Ariana
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 1 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are challenging. 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. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Zoey Mitchell
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
atlgirl2026
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much pricey but now it's better than expected.
14 upvotes
Valentina Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Owen Gutierrez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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