I'm a 50-year-old teacher and The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $277,600, which seems about average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What do you all think? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
8 upvotes
10 Replies
Dylan Collins
following this thread
39 upvotes
James Ross
been saying this for years
34 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. 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 biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Zoey Smith
it depends on the neighborhood
24 upvotes
sfguy2026
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Lillian Young
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
Skylar Diaz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Oliver Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 48, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Sunset and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
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. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. better than expected 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
12 upvotes
Nora Lopez
same here
11 upvotes
Waylon Clark
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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