Hey everyone, I'm a college student here and With a population of 5,038, Big Bear Lake is a small town. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think?
1 upvotes
9 Replies
Nora Lewis
Came here for school and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Ezra Long
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 community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (South) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited entertainment 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.
28 upvotes
Aiden Reed
I've lived in Riverside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
portland_caroline
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 58, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in East and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
21 upvotes
Adam R.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
7 upvotes
lake_lucas63
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Emily Clark
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
1 upvotes
Clara Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 24, moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. solid 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 Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
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