Median household income is $99,277, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 44--F, so bundle up in winter. Crime rate is something to consider -Apple Valley sits at 93.1 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
4 upvotes
26 Replies
Asher
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
39 upvotes
Austin B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Zoe Wright
This.
36 upvotes
Katherine Smith
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Hudson
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much competitive but now it's better than expected.
33 upvotes
Claire Diaz
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
32 upvotes
Jerry A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Alexander Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Raleigh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
28 upvotes
Luke Lopez
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The dating scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Henry Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Santiago
Came here for family and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Samuel Long
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community vibe is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
cool_isabelle32
been saying this for years
20 upvotes
Serenity Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Aurora Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Aiden S.
Saving this thread
17 upvotes
Jacob
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 57, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
16 upvotes
Nolan Hall
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Downtown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Leonardo Morgan
accurate
11 upvotes
Ariana Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Tampa about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Axel Rivera
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 1 years. Moved from LA for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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:**
legal is strong here. government 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are better than expected. 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. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Valentina Jones
yeah no that's not right
8 upvotes
Addison
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Kathleen H.
preach
5 upvotes
Anna B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Dominic Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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