Been meaning to ask this. I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $181,862 in Sunnyvale. It's a a mid-size city city with about 153K people. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
58 upvotes
26 Replies
Carter Parker
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Mackenzie Cooper
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Riverside area are tough. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Nicholas Bennett
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Asian places. I love the pace of life here.
35 upvotes
Riley Hill
nah I disagree
35 upvotes
Dominic Bailey
yep
32 upvotes
Katherine G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 6 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Hannah Green
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Nevaeh
I've lived in Midtown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The cultural scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Sofia King
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Sebastian Martin
seconding this
29 upvotes
Adeline M.
This.
29 upvotes
Luca Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Roman Cruz
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Jack Garcia
I've lived in The Heights for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Lydia C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Greyson Morgan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Cooper
Moved here from San Francisco about 8 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to public transit but No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Alexander Mendoza
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Atlanta about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Evan Ruiz
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The safety is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Lucas Williams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Violet Moore
I've lived in East for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Josiah Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 29, moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Fairview and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Kai S.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Lakewood area are decent. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Kaylee Lewis
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
1 upvotes
Michael A.
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
0 upvotes
chill_aaron49
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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