Longtime lurker here, I grew up here but left for a while. You can expect to pay around $2,082 for rent here. Median household income is $90,583, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 345K, Anaheim is a mid-size city. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Thoughts? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
25 upvotes
10 Replies
dcvibes2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Dominic King
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much stable but now it's tough.
34 upvotes
Joseph Turner
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Fairview area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Aurora Wright
nah I disagree
15 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes 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 average. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Ezekiel Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Sunset and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
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. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
10 upvotes
Ava Moore
Bought a house here in 2020 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Greyson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Waylon Allen
hmm interesting perspective
2 upvotes
Cora Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 46, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in The Heights and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K 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.
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