Curious what people think. I've been here for 10 years and The median home value here is around $139,000, which is actually reasonable. Rent is about $773/month for a decent place. Median household income is $42,702, which feels on the lower side for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
13 upvotes
3 Replies
James M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 25, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
33 upvotes
Lucy Ramirez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
10 upvotes
Judith M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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