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Aaliyah Moore living

Is Santa Rosa getting better or worse?

Hey, The median home value here is around $685,000, which is pretty steep. Average temperature is around 58°F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a mid-size city city with about 177K people. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What are your go-to spots? The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
39 upvotes

12 Replies

urban_melanie64
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a writer who relocated here from New York about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options

Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.

Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Declan Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.

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.
39 upvotes
Peyton Brooks
I work in consulting here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is pretty good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Parker G.
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Sarah Ruiz
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Gianna C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
vegas_ellie
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Riley Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Not very walkable outside downtown. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Delilah King
same here
8 upvotes
Luna K.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Phoenix it's excellent.
8 upvotes
Claire Castillo
same here
4 upvotes
Kaylee Brown
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
1 upvotes
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