Been meaning to ask this. My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $107,800, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $107,800 on average. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. With a population of 14,670, Sterling is a small town. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. 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. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
William Gomez
nah I disagree
37 upvotes
Eli Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Diane T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Lillian Cox
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from New York about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Benjamin E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago 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 Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Jonathan Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Ruby C.
facts
22 upvotes
sf_jack
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
19 upvotes
Nora Peterson
I've lived in East for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The job market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Isaac Bennett
I've lived in West for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Benjamin Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Everett Adams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 4 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, 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.
2 upvotes
Greyson Thompson
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
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