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Austin Ruiz moving

Should I move to Vacaville or stay in Phoenix?

Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $108,580, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a mid-size city city with about 102K people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I overthinking this?
33 upvotes

3 Replies

Naomi K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 48, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Pine Hills and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
17 upvotes
native_bennett73
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
8 upvotes
dclover2026
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
0 upvotes
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