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Willow J. qa

Is Beverly Hills walkable?

Anyone else feel this way? Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 5.8%, which is pretty low. Thanks for reading.
24 upvotes

30 Replies

Savannah Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Nicole S.
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
Cynthia W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.

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.
37 upvotes
Helen H.
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 3 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
36 upvotes
Jayden Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from LA for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes 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 improving. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Adeline Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Springfield for 10 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Springfield schools are improving. 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. Limited public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Luke Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
construction is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Fairview 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. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Wyatt Walker
underrated comment
29 upvotes
Isaac N.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Christian
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value weather, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Uptown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.

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.
28 upvotes
Brielle Castillo
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Jack Kim
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
stl_nora
Moved here from Miami about 11 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Genesis G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.

I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Jace Myers
Bought a house here in 2019 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
20 upvotes
Vivian Ward
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
19 upvotes
Hannah Moore
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Grayson Rodriguez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is average in most areas.
17 upvotes
Roman Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a nurse who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening

Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated

Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.

Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Andrew M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in West for 8 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
fresno_sebastian
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Emmett C.
same here
13 upvotes
Grace
preach
10 upvotes
Leah Cooper
it depends on the neighborhood
10 upvotes
Grayson Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a nurse who relocated here from Houston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.

Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.

Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Hannah Baker
this is the way
4 upvotes
Rebecca M.
hmm interesting perspective
2 upvotes
urban_samuel76
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The pet-friendliness is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
0 upvotes
Vivian Ramirez
yeah no that's not right
0 upvotes
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