Hey, We have two kids and With a population of 82,423, Redwood City is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Let me know your thoughts. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
3 upvotes
21 Replies
Emmett King
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Sofia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Reagan S.
I've lived in Midtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The food scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Dylan Young
lol so true
31 upvotes
Adrian Moore
same here
30 upvotes
John Wilson
I work in consulting here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is average. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Genesis R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Ruby C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Lucy Wright
underrated comment
23 upvotes
Aubrey P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 10 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Kayden
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is better than expected. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Natalie P.
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
14 upvotes
Leonardo Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Jack F.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
emma_guy
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Uptown area are average. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Jeremiah Ross
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Matthew Adams
noted, appreciate it
6 upvotes
Mia Adams
100%
5 upvotes
Luca Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Gregory L.
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Lucy Reed
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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