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Victoria Ramos living

Is Brea getting better or worse?

Been meaning to ask this. I'm a 53-year-old teacher and The median home value here is around $874,300, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $2,285/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 47,337 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.

Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Easy commute
- Lots of new development

Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Not very walkable
- Chain restaurants dominate
Anyone in a similar situation? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
7 upvotes

6 Replies

Ashley O.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much stable but now it's tough.
38 upvotes
Angel Gonzalez
honestly same experience here
24 upvotes
Valentina C.
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Isaiah P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 4 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 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:**
consulting is strong here. government 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Highland schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And dating scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Aria Diaz
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
13 upvotes
Parker W.
I work in legal here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
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