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happy_david33 moving

Thinking about relocating to Santa Monica from San Francisco

So, The median home value here is around $1,810,200, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $109,739, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $1,810,200 on average. You can expect to pay around $2,338 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
24 upvotes

5 Replies

Waylon B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's pretty good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.

People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Camila M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.

I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is solid.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Evan
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Joyce R.
I work in government here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is decent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Ralph K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from LA about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.

Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
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