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portlandlife2020
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Is Novato good for remote workers?
Curious what people think. I work in education and People here are genuinely friendly, not just sur
28 upvotes
7 Replies
Adrian Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Westside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Westside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
39 upvotes
Carter Parker
lol so true
36 upvotes
Riley Perez
same here
29 upvotes
Cora Bennett
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Evan M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Genesis
honestly same experience here
4 upvotes
Peyton Phillips
hard disagree but ok
1 upvotes