I'm a college student here and With a population of 104K, San Mateo is a mid-size city. You can expect to pay around $3,079 for rent here. Household incomes average around $152,669 in San Mateo. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $152,669, which feels pretty solid for the area. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Low taxes
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Not enough green space
What would you do? Cheers. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up.
33 upvotes
13 Replies
Hazel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
33 upvotes
Cheryl T.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Addison Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
32 upvotes
miami_jayden
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 46, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in West and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
32 upvotes
James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 6 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Evan C.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Alyssa C.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Downtown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Adrian W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Thomas Ruiz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Arthur R.
preach
14 upvotes
Melanie M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Boston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is average.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Sadie Myers
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Nora Torres
Came here for weather and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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