Random thought, I'm single, late 40s, and Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Let me know your thoughts.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
ella_vibes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Pamela R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Luca Rogers
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Maverick Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
31 upvotes
Michael Phillips
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
John M.
big facts right here
27 upvotes
Jordan Johnson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 15 years. Moved from Dallas for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers 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 challenging. 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 safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
James Patel
big facts right here
24 upvotes
Natalie Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Cameron H.
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Ashley M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 41, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Sunset and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
12 upvotes
Kai Rogers
accurate
4 upvotes
Matthew
noted, appreciate it
4 upvotes
Victoria Baker
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
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