Hey, With a population of 10,507, Beverly Hills is a small town. Median household income is $175,460, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Does this match your experience?
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Noah T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
36 upvotes
Ruby Roberts
I'm a HR manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Gianna D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Elena Morris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 39, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
23 upvotes
jaxwalker2024
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Amelia
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Zoey Thompson
same here
16 upvotes
Andrea K.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Denver, 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 outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Sophie Scott
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Downtown area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Parker Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
mesa_eliana
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Jace Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Midtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
All Countries
