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lake_jordan44 living

Is Oceanside getting better or worse?

Longtime lurker here, With a population of 173K, Oceanside is a mid-size ci
7 upvotes

12 Replies

Caleb Baker
+1
38 upvotes
Eli Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a chef who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces

Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options

Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.

Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
chicago_emma
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Leo Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte 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 Highland. It's surprisingly good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in tech you might struggle.

People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Anna Allen
great question, following
20 upvotes
Bella Harris
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
Sofia Brown
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The nightlife is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Isaiah Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis 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 Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.

People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.

Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
William Gray
This.
6 upvotes
Claire King
seconding this
6 upvotes
born_amelia54
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.

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.
3 upvotes
Billy R.
I've lived in Eastside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The nightlife scene is better than expected

The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
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