We have two kids and With a population of 345K, Anaheim is a mid-size city. Poverty rate is 9.3%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Let me know your thoughts. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
58 upvotes
9 Replies
Paul F.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
38 upvotes
austinlife2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Theodore P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 8 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
real_vivian26
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
loving_zoe78
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Dylan Hughes
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Roman Edwards
preach
8 upvotes
Joshua A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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