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Lydia G.
living
Why I chose San Mateo over bigger cities
Hey everyone, The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
59 upvotes
7 Replies
lake_riley16
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Madeline
+1
25 upvotes
Eliana Smith
I've lived in Greenfield for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Harper Collins
I've lived in Highland for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Rylee Morales
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Minneapolis about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Minneapolis about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Natalie Bailey
lol so true
13 upvotes
luca_heart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Westside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Westside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
9 upvotes