Crime rate is something to consider -South Gate sits at 658.6 per 100K. With a population of 91,836, South Gate is a smaller city. The suburbs are where most families end up. Should I be concerned? Appreciate any input.
12 upvotes
7 Replies
Ryan C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour 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.
37 upvotes
Anna P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 41, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
35 upvotes
Gabriel Allen
Moved here from Chicago about 4 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Eliana Walker
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
27 upvotes
Theodore Reyes
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
26 upvotes
Kayden Nelson
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
brielle_mind
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
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