Alright, I'm retired and With a population of 51,320, Aliso Viejo is a smaller city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Has anyone dealt with this? Appreciate any input. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
22 upvotes
15 Replies
Isla
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Theodore W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Brielle Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 12 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Oak Park 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Kinsley Alvarez
yep
30 upvotes
Camila P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is tough in most areas.
29 upvotes
Hazel Reed
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
Leonardo Morales
following this thread
25 upvotes
Jeremiah Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Dallas it's surprisingly good.
22 upvotes
Isaac Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 35, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
18 upvotes
stl_ethan
100%
15 upvotes
Matthew Mitchell
Came here for weather and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Sarah Moore
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Hailey Hernandez
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Daniel
this is the way
2 upvotes
Daniel Gonzalez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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