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Grace Lewis moving

Considering Paramount vs San Diego -help me decide

Alright, We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Paramount sits at 637.6 per 100K.
24 upvotes

11 Replies

Lillian Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in North for 11 years. Moved from Charlotte for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Declan Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.

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.
36 upvotes
Bennett H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Chloe Peterson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Melanie Ward
yep
27 upvotes
Elizabeth Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.

Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.

People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Eliana Bailey
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.
17 upvotes
Nancy B.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Owen T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Sunset for 2 years. Moved from San Diego for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Sunset schools are tough. 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Quinn Harris
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
5 upvotes
Cora Kim
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. Definitely worth checking out..
0 upvotes
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