The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Has anyone dealt with this? Thanks in advance!
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Eva Wilson
lol so true
40 upvotes
Brooks Ortiz
honestly same experience here
39 upvotes
Robert Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Vivian Ramirez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Jacob Ross
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
24 upvotes
christian_girl
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 25, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 San Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
17 upvotes
cincylocal2021
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
emma_living
exactly what I was thinking
15 upvotes
Elena Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Jaxon
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Sunset and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
10 upvotes
Daniel K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..