The city of Millbrae has been established for over 150 years; it continues to grow and change as well as become more diverse. People from different cultural backgrounds now live in Millbrae, making the city a welcoming community. But is Millbrae the place to prosper? I’ll be talking about the pros and cons of living in Millbrae including the solidarity, living costs, and safety concerns.
For instance, schools, restaurants, and festival events help bring people together and build a strong bond. Mayor of Millbrae, Anders Fung states, “Every year we run four big festivals where people come out onto the street. We also have many other mini festivals, like the Japanese cultural festivals.” His words highlight how Millbrae celebrates cultural diversity to bring people together.
Another resident in Millbrae named Guy Young elaborates more on how diverse Millbrae is. “Millbrae is absolutely great at being diverse and certainly welcoming at any nationality, age. The schools are welcoming, the neighbors. It’s great.” Two residents praise both the diversity and the feeling of belonging in Millbrae.
Despite Millbrae’s welcoming environment and diverse community, it has its own disadvantages when coming to the cost of living. Its location is very desirable due to the surrounding superior schools, significant jobs, many restaurants, accessible transportation, and the San Francisco International Airport. All of these instances explain why the cost of living in Millbrae is so expensive. Many residents feel the same way with Millbrae’s living prices. Fung mentions a con living in Millbrae. “It’s easy to get involved or feel connected with neighbors and local events, although its living costs are not good, very expensive here. I mean, that’s the price you pay.” This reflects on the struggle of Millbrae’s financial challenges.
Although the cost of living is a concern, safety also plays a big role everyday in life. Many residents feel comfortable walking around Millbrae because of its quiet neighborhood. However, there are also safety concerns when walking that involves wildlife animals. Residents who own pets fear that the overtake of wild animals interfere with the safety of their beloved companions. Another one of Millbrae’s local residents, Kara Yee, pointed out, “Millbrae downtown is safe to walk but not near the Mills Estate due to animals walking near that area at night.” Their experiences show the difference between the safety downtown and the Mills Estate. Additionally, Young shares his experience when walking in Millbrae saying, “Millbrae is very safe. But down around the BART station tends to be bad.” Together, these results show that it depends where the residents walk.
Overall, Millbrae has been a community shaped by many strengths and challenges, continually growing and improving. The cost of living in Millbrae can be tough, but its diversity and welcoming nature is what makes Millbrae truly special. The residents of Millbrae create a strong bond that makes the city feel like home. As the city continues to evolve, Millbrae’s community proceeds to grow and support the lives of those who call it home.
