I'm retired and Homes are going for about $792,400 on average. Rent is about $2,191/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $2,191 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -San Marcos sits at 195.7 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What would you do? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
30 upvotes
12 Replies
Gabriella E.
hmm interesting perspective
35 upvotes
Claire C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in South and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
31 upvotes
Evelyn Chavez
glad someone said it
31 upvotes
Luca Parker
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Claire Murphy
Used to live on the North side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
19 upvotes
Elijah Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Alexa Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Dallas about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Cheryl T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Austin about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Thomas Evans
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Elena Wilson
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
2 upvotes
Luca
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Madeline B.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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