Hey folks, Been living here since 2020. It's a a small town city with about 8,794 people. You can expect to pay around $1,447 for rent here. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Worth the trade-offs?
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Jayden Martin
seconding this
36 upvotes
Andrew Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited public transit options. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Emma Johnson
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Nevaeh Johnson
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Nathan J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Cora
honestly same experience here
15 upvotes
Addison Martinez
Moved here from Denver about 5 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to school system but Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Scarlett P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Allison M.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
11 upvotes
Michael L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Ryan Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Sunset schools are challenging. 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. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Emma F.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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