Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and Poverty rate is 11.1%, which is around average. With a population of 62,292, Sanford is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $62,877, which feels about average for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Thoughts? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
28 upvotes
11 Replies
Ellie Rogers
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Joan H.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Hazel Torres
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in The Heights area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
cincy_evan
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Julian Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 24, moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in West and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - 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 public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
29 upvotes
Adrian J.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's decent.
27 upvotes
Ava M.
preach
27 upvotes
Mason
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
21 upvotes
Paisley Murphy
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
20 upvotes
lalover2022
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Piper James
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
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