Hey, Rent is about $957/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this? Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Nora Price
it depends on the neighborhood
34 upvotes
Jean P.
Came here for school and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The public transit is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
happy_dominic53
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Harper Mitchell
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Indian places. it exceeded my expectations.
26 upvotes
Andrew
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
Gabriella W.
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 New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 decent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Cooper Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Bella Reed
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Austin it's improving.
24 upvotes
Sophia Sanchez
good to know, thanks
20 upvotes
Dylan F.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Sophia Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Old Town schools are improving. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Elena R.
it depends on the neighborhood
3 upvotes
Allison Hernandez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
2 upvotes
raised_christian21
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 28, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Midtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. underrated 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
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