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Audrey B. moving

Relocating to San Angelo, TX -pros and cons?

Hey everyone, Crime rate is something to consider -San Angelo sits at 353.2 per 100K. Homes are going for about $179,300 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 99,507 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What neighborhoods would you suggest? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
24 upvotes

6 Replies

Daniel R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.

Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in engineering you might struggle.

People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Ellie Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 37, moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
37 upvotes
Jace P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Uptown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.

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.
28 upvotes
Michael A.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Avery Adams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options

Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.

Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Savannah B.
interesting, hadn't considered that
9 upvotes
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