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Gianna Taylor
jobs
Career opportunities in Calexico, CA
Alright, We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $281,700 on average.
19 upvotes
29 Replies
Nora
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Leo Cooper
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Boston it's pretty good.
33 upvotes
Amber H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 30, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. better than expected 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 30, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. better than expected 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
33 upvotes
Elijah H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
32 upvotes
Benjamin Turner
seconding this
27 upvotes
Grace Lee
I'm a writer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Leo W.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
27 upvotes
Sebastian Adams
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Everett R.
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
Lydia Adams
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's been a really good experience overall.
23 upvotes
Elena T.
bump
22 upvotes
Dylan Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Naomi
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
20 upvotes
Jameson Brooks
I work in consulting here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Colton
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Kimberly G.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Emma R.
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Levi Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Violet Diaz
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much growing but now it's decent.
11 upvotes
Brielle H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Emilia Allen
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
9 upvotes
Ella Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
I've been here 13 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Isabelle Hernandez
haha yep pretty much
7 upvotes
Owen Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Sadie Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Oak Park 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 shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Oak Park for 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Oak Park 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 shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
proud_camila95
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 1 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in North and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. average 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 San Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 1 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in North and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. average 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 San Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
5 upvotes
nycrider2021
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Harper Hill
underrated comment
5 upvotes
Olivia K.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Chicago it's underrated.
3 upvotes