Alright, My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $1,563,200 on average. With a population of 104K, San Mateo is a mid-size city. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. What are your go-to spots? Thanks in advance! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
49 upvotes
5 Replies
Zachary G.
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Leonardo Diaz
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much stable but now it's underrated.
22 upvotes
Isaac Richardson
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 Nashville. I've lived in Downtown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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