Hi all, With a population of 52,689, Novato is a smaller city. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
minneapolis_violet
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
38 upvotes
James Ross
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Miles Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 41, moved here 4 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. improving 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 Dallas, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
33 upvotes
Axel Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. healthcare 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are surprisingly good. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Aubrey
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Cora C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Jordan Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Vivian E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Sophia Hernandez
I'm a data analyst and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Oliver Phillips
This.
10 upvotes
Donald A.
lol so true
9 upvotes
Aubrey King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 32, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in The Heights and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
8 upvotes
Adam Johnson
spot on
5 upvotes
Emmett Reyes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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