Anyone else feel this way? My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -National City sits at 589.1 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 55,960 people. Poverty rate is 12.6%, which is around average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I wrong here? The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
14 upvotes
7 Replies
Clara Nelson
exactly what I was thinking
40 upvotes
Elena Cox
not my experience at all
36 upvotes
everly_native
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
John Cooper
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Gabriella Collins
+1
15 upvotes
fresnovibes2020
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
grace_living
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Fairview and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
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