Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 1.0%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Emily Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 1 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are pretty 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
tampalife2023
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 1 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
mesafan2024
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are tough. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
omaha_thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Dominic Hall
Moved here from Austin about 6 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to weather but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Scarlett Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 42, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
16 upvotes
Eleanor Gonzalez
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor recreation is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Nancy A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 49, moved here 5 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. excellent 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
8 upvotes
Aiden Diaz
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
4 upvotes
Elena S.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
3 upvotes
leah_mama
haha yep pretty much
1 upvotes
Kennedy Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
0 upvotes
Landon Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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