We have two kids and It's a a smaller city city with about 85,734 people. Crime rate is something to consider -San Ramon sits at 75.9 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
23 upvotes
10 Replies
Alexander Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 51, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
40 upvotes
Serenity Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 10 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are hit or miss. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Carter Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 46, moved here 5 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Springfield and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
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. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
Kinsley Bailey
noted, appreciate it
33 upvotes
madeline_rider
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Piper King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
David A.
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Cooper Ramos
+1
8 upvotes
Kinsley Young
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Gabriel James
Bought a house here in 2023 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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