OK so Been living here since 2019. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,198 people. Household incomes average around $51,811 in Barstow. Rent is about $1,065/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Any advice would be great. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
19 upvotes
18 Replies
Genesis B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Charlotte about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
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 pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Aria D.
seconding this
35 upvotes
Justin B.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Dominic Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Highland and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Tampa, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
29 upvotes
Liam A.
glad someone said it
28 upvotes
Genesis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is decent in most areas.
26 upvotes
Levi Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene 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.
24 upvotes
Andrew E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Isaiah Morgan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Lucas
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Everly
it depends on the neighborhood
21 upvotes
Jayden Smith
big facts right here
17 upvotes
Landon Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Minneapolis about 6 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Alice Martinez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
14 upvotes
Liam
facts
13 upvotes
Gabriella
accurate
8 upvotes
Noah Morales
I've lived in The Heights for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Jonathan Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Tampa it's improving.
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