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Peyton Chavez
jobs
Career opportunities in San Rafael, CA
Hey everyone, Poverty rate is 5.5%, which is pretty low.
24 upvotes
25 Replies
real_ruby35
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Matthew M.
literally same
38 upvotes
Bennett R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Minneapolis it's solid.
38 upvotes
Sebastian Stewart
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Evan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 52, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 52, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
36 upvotes
Ezekiel F.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Kinsley Wood
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Old Town area are average. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Ruby Harris
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much competitive but now it's excellent.
33 upvotes
Elijah Bennett
spot on
29 upvotes
Waylon Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Boston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
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 Boston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Amelia Wood
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The nightlife is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Camila Moore
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Clara
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Everly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Mason Reyes
seconding this
14 upvotes
Nicholas M.
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Alyssa C.
I'm a chef and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Alexander Campbell
facts
10 upvotes
Theodore Lopez
seconding this
10 upvotes
William Bailey
accurate
9 upvotes
Mia Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 43, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Sunset and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 43, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Sunset and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
8 upvotes
Harper Hernandez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
6 upvotes
Henry Campbell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Scarlett R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 33, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Old Town and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 San Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
Background: I'm a teacher, 33, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Old Town and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 San Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
2 upvotes
Jordan Lopez
couldn't agree more
1 upvotes