Crime rate is something to consider -Apple Valley sits at 93.1 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What neighborhoods would you suggest? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
15 upvotes
24 Replies
Maverick Bennett
I'm a social worker and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Quinn Perez
+1
39 upvotes
grace_runner
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Alexander Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 47, moved here 7 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Houston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
33 upvotes
desert_weston65
Moved here from Tampa about 15 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to job market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Mason Patel
yeah no that's not right
29 upvotes
Nova Morgan
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to LA it's improving.
26 upvotes
Ella B.
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
25 upvotes
Paisley Reyes
facts
23 upvotes
Anna Campbell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for school. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable 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. Meadowbrook schools are challenging. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Joshua
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Easton Nguyen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
David Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Violet Flores
nah I disagree
15 upvotes
Eli W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Chicago it's average.
10 upvotes
Mia Reyes
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
7 upvotes
Melanie M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Eastside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
6 upvotes
Ethan H.
Moved here from Nashville about 10 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to cost of living but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Greyson Thompson
not my experience at all
5 upvotes
Thomas C.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in South area are challenging. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Isabelle Clark
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in West area are average. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Sofia R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Willow Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 29, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Meadowbrook and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
All Countries
