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David W. living

Alhambra is underrated, change my mind

Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $1,852 for rent here. Rent is about $1,852/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
11 upvotes

20 Replies

Evan S.
I work in construction here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Claire Morales
I'm a data analyst and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Zoe Collins
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Alexa Castillo
wish I knew this sooner
36 upvotes
parker_lover
good to know, thanks
35 upvotes
Weston Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Meadowbrook for 13 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Meadowbrook 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. Nightlife is limited. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Jack Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Phoenix about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.

Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.

Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Henry P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 45, moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
31 upvotes
Luke Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in East for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are surprisingly good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, 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.
29 upvotes
Claire K.
Totally agree!
29 upvotes
jose_fan
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Matthew Myers
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 3 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to community vibe but Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Aria James
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Connor W.
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Oliver Taylor
Moved here from New York about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to nightlife but Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Lydia Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Chicago about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.

Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains

Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.

Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Kennedy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 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. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
stlmind2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 42, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in South and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
7 upvotes
Ezekiel A.
I've lived in Downtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The cost of living scene is better than expected

The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Audrey Roberts
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
6 upvotes
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