Anyone else feel this way? I'm originally from Cleveland and Rent is about $2,650/month for a decent place. With a population of 70,244, Camarillo is a smaller city. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
22 upvotes
24 Replies
Ian Lee
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is improving in most areas.
40 upvotes
Aurora
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Sofia M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Roman Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 29, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
38 upvotes
Aurora
Moved here from Boston about 3 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to dating scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
parker_native
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Sunset) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
33 upvotes
Jonathan A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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
riley_native
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
chill_abigail28
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
25 upvotes
Naomi Campbell
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
25 upvotes
Isaiah Anderson
great question, following
24 upvotes
Amelia
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Amelia Diaz
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Gabriella Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
14 upvotes
Aaliyah C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 11 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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:**
retail is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are decent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Miles M.
hard disagree but ok
8 upvotes
Douglas R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Adrian Morales
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Pine Hills area are underrated. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Evan Rivera
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Delilah Davis
I'm a lawyer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
3 upvotes
Victoria Howard
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
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