OK so I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $1,121 for rent here. With a population of 99,507, San Angelo is a smaller city. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. 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. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
1 upvotes
27 Replies
Valentina Carter
noted, appreciate it
40 upvotes
Easton R.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
39 upvotes
Evan
following this thread
37 upvotes
Arianna
literally same
37 upvotes
Piper A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 53, moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
36 upvotes
Axel M.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Zoe W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is challenging in most areas.
36 upvotes
Elena Ross
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely challenging and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
30 upvotes
Eli Diaz
exactly what I was thinking
29 upvotes
Maverick Long
hard disagree but ok
29 upvotes
Amelia Diaz
literally same
29 upvotes
Piper Ramos
bump
28 upvotes
Judith L.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Dallas it's challenging.
27 upvotes
Hailey B.
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.
25 upvotes
Isabella W.
hmm interesting perspective
23 upvotes
orlando_angel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Ruby Williams
haha yep pretty much
21 upvotes
Gabriel G.
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Ethan Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Amelia Wood
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The walkability is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Lydia Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Leo S.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
13 upvotes
Emilia Wright
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Aurora Kelly
I work in construction here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. No regrets on my end..
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