Not sure if this has been asked before, but We have two kids and It's a a smaller city city with about 54,756 people. Household incomes average around $78,281 in San Jacinto. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
3 upvotes
26 Replies
Carter Price
nah I disagree
40 upvotes
Ryan G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Noah P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Old Town) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
38 upvotes
Miles Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 37, moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Uptown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
38 upvotes
Rylee Robinson
Used to live on the South side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
38 upvotes
Abigail Jones
it depends on the neighborhood
37 upvotes
Cooper B.
I work in tech here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
eleanor_guy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
36 upvotes
Samuel Lewis
I'm a chef and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is average and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
raised_declan73
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
29 upvotes
Gianna
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Portland it's improving.
29 upvotes
Cooper H.
I work in finance here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Nova Hill
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The community vibe is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
brooklyn_rider
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are underrated. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Theodore Scott
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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:**
healthcare is strong here. construction 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Leonardo W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is excellent in most areas.
24 upvotes
Aaron R.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in North area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
raised_aiden84
hmm interesting perspective
20 upvotes
Hailey
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Silas Thomas
+1
18 upvotes
Sophie
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
Eva Evans
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Nevaeh
Moved here from Houston about 4 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to community vibe but Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
tucson_sofia
couldn't agree more
9 upvotes
Isabella Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Boston about 6 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Natalie Nelson
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Indian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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