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portland_kai
qa
Best coffee shops in Novato?
Military spouse here. Is this normal for Novato? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
7 Replies
Luke Roberts
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
37 upvotes
Anna Brooks
I've lived in Greenfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Brittany C.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
22 upvotes
axel_heart
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Everett Kim
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Dorothy F.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The traffic is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Patrick C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 27, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
Background: I'm a accountant, 27, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
5 upvotes