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Sophie Stewart
moving
Remote worker thinking about Pleasant Hills
OK so I work in logistics and Does this match your experience? The suburbs are where most families end up.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Ryan C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Everett Richardson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Aaron Ward
thanks for sharing
38 upvotes
Addison Kim
spot on
33 upvotes
Bradley B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 42, moved here 14 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
Background: I'm a project manager, 42, moved here 14 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
21 upvotes
Henry Jones
literally same
20 upvotes
Alexander M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Cameron
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
detroitmind2020
glad someone said it
17 upvotes
Rachel C.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Audrey
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
kc_ella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
6 upvotes
Lydia Jones
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
3 upvotes
Ian Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
0 upvotes