Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a smaller city city with about 26,509 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
19 upvotes
14 Replies
Evan Clark
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Kai P.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Joseph Cruz
yep
35 upvotes
Isabella Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Nathan Anderson
yep
22 upvotes
Jackson B.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Ryan E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 52, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
19 upvotes
Ezra Y.
Moved here from Chicago about 5 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to healthcare but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
indy_melanie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Chloe Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 10 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
consulting is strong here. engineering 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. 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 decent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
living_valentina55
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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