Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and You can expect to pay around $2,985 for rent here. Median household income is $173,670, which feels pretty solid for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up.
33 upvotes
13 Replies
Kennedy Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Diego about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Stella
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The healthcare is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Cora
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Cora
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great craft beer places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
33 upvotes
Weston Jones
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Harper Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 25, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Phoenix, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
29 upvotes
William Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Jace Long
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Charlotte Kelly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
8 upvotes
kcmama2020
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is underrated in most areas.
7 upvotes
Ella G.
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
Jack Martinez
Used to live on the South side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
5 upvotes
Maverick Edwards
I've lived in Sunset for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- The job market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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