Considering San Juan zona urbana vs Los Angeles — help me decide
Hey everyone, Average temperature is around 80°F, so it's warm year-round. Crime rate is something to consider — San Juan zona urbana sits at 2,771.8 per 100K. The median home value here is around $174,000, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 35.4%, which is higher than I expected. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Has anyone dealt with this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
29 upvotes
6 Replies
Autumn Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 48, moved here 7 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Downtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Boston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
39 upvotes
Elizabeth Foster
underrated comment
36 upvotes
Emilia Smith
facts
24 upvotes
Maya Ramirez
bump
18 upvotes
Barbara P.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The walkability is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Emily A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
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