Sign In Register
Aubrey Morales housing

Affordable areas near St. Joseph?

Hey everyone, I work in food service and With a population of 3,833, St. Joseph is a small town. Crime rate is something to consider -St. Joseph sits at 83.5 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 3,833 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.

Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Good schools
- Active local events

Cons:
- Lack of diversity
- Poor road conditions
- Limited cultural events
Any help is appreciated. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
10 upvotes

10 Replies

Anna Howard
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Sunset for 1 years. Moved from Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
tech is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Justin G.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Cedar Grove area are challenging. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Sarah Myers
facts
25 upvotes
Delilah Myers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Thomas Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.

I've been here 1 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Aurora Bailey
literally same
21 upvotes
Sofia Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Sunset and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
16 upvotes
Charlotte Moore
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Aaron Cox
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The cultural scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Camila Richardson
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
← Back to St. Joseph Community