Just moved here 10 months ago and Median household income is $63,232, which feels about average for the area. Household incomes average around $63,232 in Calwa. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Would love some local perspective. Thanks! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Donald R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
native_chloe55
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The pet-friendliness is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Christian Thompson
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
Stella
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Alice Gomez
bump
33 upvotes
Ethan Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in North and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
28 upvotes
Aaron Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely improving and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene 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.
28 upvotes
Alexa Cruz
I'm a data analyst and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Mateo Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
14 upvotes
Benjamin G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Michael
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
13 upvotes
Rylee Ramos
seconding this
12 upvotes
Kaylee Roberts
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mexican places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
Naomi Martin
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
Jesse R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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