Hey folks, We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 17.7%, which is higher than I expected. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Is this normal for Calexico? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
23 upvotes
6 Replies
stllocal2022
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Aria
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Kaylee Harris
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Oliver Baker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 14 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
David Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 52, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.