Alright, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Average temperature is around 69--F, so the weather is moderate. Crime rate is something to consider -San Marcos sits at 363.6 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
14 upvotes
6 Replies
Amelia Hernandez
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Emmett Reyes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Ezekiel Torres
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
18 upvotes
Xavier M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Portland about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Sofia Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
chloe_local
I've lived in Fairview for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The food scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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