OK so We have two kids and Median household income is $70,192, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 1,119, Strum is a small town. The unemployment rate is 0.2%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Would love some local perspective. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Isaac Clark
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in East area are excellent. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Eva Wright
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Connor Cruz
I'm a writer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Naomi Mendoza
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is average in most areas.
32 upvotes
Mackenzie Evans
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it was the best decision I ever made.
31 upvotes
Willow Moore
accurate
29 upvotes
Jacob
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Boston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Nora Thomas
same here
11 upvotes
Melissa W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 31, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
11 upvotes
Eleanor W.
underrated comment
8 upvotes
Nevaeh Chavez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
John King
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
7 upvotes
Claire M.
I've lived in Sunset for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
James Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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