Audrey best-worst Mar 7, 2026

Worst things about Arnold nobody talks about

OK so I'm a 34-year-old lawyer and With a population of 20,884, Arnold is a small town. Poverty rate is 6.8%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Any advice would be great. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.

14 upvotes

2 Replies

Ellie Sanchez Mar 19, 2026

Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.

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.

32 upvotes

Samuel Cruz Mar 12, 2026

thanks for sharing

6 upvotes

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