I'm single, late 40s, and Median household income is $76,644, which feels about average for the area. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What would you do? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Robert Reed
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Jace Smith
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
31 upvotes
Aurora Perez
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The dating scene is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Theodore Anderson
hard disagree but ok
28 upvotes
Ryan R.
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Amelia Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 41, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
19 upvotes
Alexa
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to New York it's surprisingly good.
18 upvotes
Bella Clark
I've lived in Sunset for about 10 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 Miami, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Greyson W.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Pine Hills area are underrated. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Hailey Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.