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Emily
moving
Moving to San Angelo with kids -good idea?
Hey folks, Average temperature is around 69--F, so the weather is moderate. The city has invested a lot in new development.
22 upvotes
16 Replies
kennedy_local
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Miles Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Audrey Adams
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
29 upvotes
Bennett W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 42, moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. underrated 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 42, moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. underrated 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
28 upvotes
Andrew Hernandez
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
Ian E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 11 years. Moved from Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are average. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 11 years. Moved from Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are average. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Mia Jimenez
thanks for sharing
27 upvotes
Michael C.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
23 upvotes
Victoria B.
I work in education here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is tough. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Jose Cooper
Moved here from Nashville about 10 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to dating scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Sarah Harris
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
12 upvotes
Evan Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Bella Clark
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Old Town area are excellent. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
Moved here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cost of living but Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Evan H.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Thai places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
1 upvotes
Roman L.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The outdoor recreation is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
1 upvotes