Hey, Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Sun City West sits at 168.1 per 100K. With a population of 27,003, Sun City West is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 72--F, so it's warm year-round. Household incomes average around $63,792 in Sun City West. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I wrong here? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
23 upvotes
16 Replies
Ann P.
Moved here from Tampa about 6 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to healthcare but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Nicholas Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 28, moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in South and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
37 upvotes
Josiah Diaz
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
Kai L.
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Camila Brooks
I work in manufacturing here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
phoenix_melanie
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in The Heights area are decent. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Brooks R.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
27 upvotes
Brooklyn Flores
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Sunset) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
25 upvotes
Jose M.
I've lived in Midtown for about 6 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 Chicago, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Everett Robinson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Stella Garcia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Piper K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 50, moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
7 upvotes
Noah D.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Westside area are solid. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Isaac Mitchell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Hailey Murphy
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Julia Ross
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Uptown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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