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Violet T.
best-worst
Best and worst neighborhoods in San Mateo
So, The food scene here is surprisingly good. Should I be concerned? The weather takes some getting used to.
24 upvotes
10 Replies
Noah L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Sebastian Roberts
glad someone said it
36 upvotes
Ariana Gomez
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
boston_jordan
Totally agree!
21 upvotes
Cameron H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Aubrey D.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
19 upvotes
noladude2026
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Amber H.
facts
11 upvotes
Abigail Ruiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
leo_kid
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes