I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -Calimesa sits at 242.5 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 10,680 people. The median home value here is around $423,300, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $423,300 on average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Diverse community
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Limited dining options
- High property taxes
There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
12 Replies
Bella Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 9 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers 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 average. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
sd_michael
yep
33 upvotes
Charlotte Gonzalez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Seattle it's solid.
33 upvotes
Autumn
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
houstonnative2021
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
30 upvotes
Greyson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 9 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Elizabeth Richardson
I'm a sales manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
native_roman89
Used to live on the West side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
23 upvotes
Adrian Flores
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Downtown area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Camila R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Westside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
18 upvotes
Jose Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
All Countries
