Curious what people think. I'm a 53-year-old social worker and Poverty rate is 5.3%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $1,160,100, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -South San Francisco sits at 243.2 per 100K. Household incomes average around $135,909 in South San Francisco. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
18 upvotes
27 Replies
Isabelle Edwards
Moved here from Austin about 10 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to food scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Madeline Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 14 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
lol so true
36 upvotes
Gianna
following this thread
34 upvotes
Nathan Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 26, moved here 8 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
33 upvotes
David Lewis
I've lived in Greenfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Jack Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 5 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are underrated. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Leah Mitchell
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Bennett W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Levi P.
haha yep pretty much
24 upvotes
Aria Chavez
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Josiah Wright
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Carter Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Austin about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Bella
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Kenneth L.
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Henry G.
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
12 upvotes
portland_nolan
+1
12 upvotes
Zoe Reed
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Nora H.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Julian
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Julia Richardson
This.
10 upvotes
Kenneth A.
preach
7 upvotes
bostonwalker2022
interesting, hadn't considered that
5 upvotes
Stella G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
4 upvotes
William T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
nola_camila
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
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