Hello, I work in consulting and With a population of 49,318, Azusa is a smaller city. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I overthinking this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
27 upvotes
15 Replies
Camila Kim
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Kinsley L.
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
36 upvotes
Jack Wright
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
milwaukeewalker2021
preach
35 upvotes
audrey_mind
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 6 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. 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. Uptown schools are decent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Mateo P.
spot on
29 upvotes
Grayson E.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
29 upvotes
Bryan C.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Nevaeh Campbell
underrated comment
25 upvotes
Willow Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Diego about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Aubrey K.
Moved here from LA about 15 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to healthcare but Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Patrick C.
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Samuel Ross
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Joseph Flores
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The job market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Nova Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 6 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Midtown 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.