Should I move to Ridgecrest or stay in Cincinnati?
Longtime lurker here, You can expect to pay around $1,178 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 28,138 people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Worth the trade-offs? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
15 upvotes
7 Replies
Nancy M.
This.
33 upvotes
Bella White
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Robert Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Nora L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. hit or miss 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
11 upvotes
Dominic Kim
interesting, hadn't considered that
5 upvotes
Santiago Morris
been saying this for years
4 upvotes
Alexander C.
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 Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches 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 hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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