Been meaning to ask this. Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 8.3%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $62,586 in Staunton. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
27 upvotes
9 Replies
Abigail Ramos
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Elizabeth Mendoza
I work in consulting here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is decent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Chloe Williams
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Everly R.
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
24 upvotes
Benjamin Green
I work in legal here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
sebastian_walker
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
18 upvotes
Alice
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Uptown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
17 upvotes
nola_anna
couldn't agree more
3 upvotes
Zoey Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Downtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
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