Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Redwood City sits at 216.2 per 100K. Rent is about $2,959/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $150,840, which feels pretty solid for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Friendly people
- Diverse community
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Limited nightlife
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Not enough green space
It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
19 Replies
chill_jaxon92
Moved here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cultural scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Sophia Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from LA about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Madeline
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Eastside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
desert_weston65
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
34 upvotes
Sadie Martin
Moved here last year, no regrets.
31 upvotes
Clara Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Midtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
28 upvotes
Dylan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Adeline King
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Lori Y.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Arianna
Moved here last year, no regrets.
10 upvotes
Sophie Gonzalez
I've lived in East for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Jack
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Lucas J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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
Genesis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
philly_eliana
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Vivian T.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Eli Harris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Joseph
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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