Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $51,030 in San Marcos. Homes are going for about $269,700 on average. The median home value here is around $269,700, which seems about average. Median household income is $51,030, which feels on the lower side for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Anna Castillo
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Delilah Cruz
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
37 upvotes
Leo Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 43, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Parker Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Jonathan Lopez
it depends on the neighborhood
22 upvotes
Jonathan Gray
as a local I can confirm
22 upvotes
Eliana Morris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Valentina Jimenez
I've lived in Sunset for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Aaliyah Flores
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much affordable but now it's better than expected.
17 upvotes
Donna R.
big facts right here
16 upvotes
Eliana Baker
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Aiden Turner
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Lillian Price
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
Nathan A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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