Random thought, Crime rate is something to consider -San Jacinto sits at 218.4 per 100K. Rent is about $1,633/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up.
Pros:
- Diverse community
- Easy commute
- Strong sense of community
- Walkable downtown
- Active local events
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Not very walkable
- Poor road conditions
- Not enough green space
Any help is appreciated. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Adrian P.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Jace Thompson
I've lived in Westside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Anna Walker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to San Francisco it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
isla_guy
The food scene here is average. Tons of great BBQ places. it's been a really good experience overall.
35 upvotes
Adam Ward
I'm a writer and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Mary R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 42, moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
32 upvotes
Avery C.
Saving this thread
26 upvotes
Sophia Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 31, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Eastside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
25 upvotes
Bella
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Sadie
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Helen C.
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Eugene A.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Sophie
big facts right here
11 upvotes
Sandra S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Carter Perez
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Downtown area are decent. Kids love it here.
All Countries
