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James W. living

Anyone else love living in San Mateo?

Hello, We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 57--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Anyone in a similar situation? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
39 upvotes

3 Replies

Adam Young
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
34 upvotes
Jonathan Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 35, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Riverside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
30 upvotes
Piper Hall
following this thread
24 upvotes
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