Rent is about $1,414/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $78,621 in Summerville. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
6 upvotes
4 Replies
Brielle Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Michael Howard
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Westside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Paisley R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
sacramento_weston
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 33, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
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