Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and Poverty rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Let me know your thoughts.
1 upvotes
11 Replies
Mason
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 56, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Sunset and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Baltimore, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
37 upvotes
Judy R.
preach
37 upvotes
Owen Hernandez
thanks for sharing
31 upvotes
Asher Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
23 upvotes
Hudson Murphy
literally same
19 upvotes
Delilah Lopez
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
17 upvotes
Autumn W.
I've lived in North for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The food scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Reagan Martinez
been saying this for years
14 upvotes
Jameson Cox
I work in retail here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is average. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
James F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Nashville 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 North. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
oaklandlocal2026
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 57, moved here 5 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
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