Curious what people think. We have two kids and Poverty rate is 23.1%, which is higher than I expected. Household incomes average around $47,899 in Westmont. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to.
23 upvotes
3 Replies
kc_henry
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte 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 Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
sfwalker2021
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
19 upvotes
Everly Kim
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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