Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $165,400 on average. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Crime rate is something to consider -Southgate sits at 255.4 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. 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. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
17 upvotes
13 Replies
Zoey Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Daniel J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Eugene W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
philly_rylee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Miami about 14 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramos
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Wesley Garcia
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
23 upvotes
colton_soul
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Madeline Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 50, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
15 upvotes
Connor Murphy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Terry B.
honestly same experience here
10 upvotes
Julian T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 56, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Eastside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
7 upvotes
Josiah Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Riverside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
6 upvotes
Daniel Brown
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
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