So, I work in automotive and Median household income is $124,065, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,937/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Oliver Hill
underrated comment
35 upvotes
joshua_lover
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Lillian R.
wish I knew this sooner
32 upvotes
Emma Reed
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Landon Foster
spot on
30 upvotes
James Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 53, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Lakewood and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Denver, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
24 upvotes
Carson
facts
23 upvotes
Everly C.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much pricey but now it's tough.
13 upvotes
katherine_runner
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 decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Midtown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
8 upvotes
Cora Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Parker Stewart
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Portland it's solid.
5 upvotes
Everly
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Sadie Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 10 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks 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 average. 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. Limited public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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