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Jonathan C.
housing
First time home buyer in Solana Beach
Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Luna Cooper
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Greyson Mendoza
Moved here from Austin about 2 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to traffic but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Nolan Torres
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Julian Ward
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
coastal_clara80
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Landon Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely average and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely average and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
21 upvotes
Delilah Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 51, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. improving 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a contractor, 51, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. improving 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
20 upvotes
Autumn
haha yep pretty much
19 upvotes
mesa_everly
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- The pet-friendliness scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- The pet-friendliness scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Sarah
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
14 upvotes
Rylee Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Kinsley M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Joseph Sanders
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Brooks Wright
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Tampa it's excellent.
3 upvotes
Lillian Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes