Raising a family in Camp Pendleton South -thoughts?
First post here. With a population of 15,011, Camp Pendleton South is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 15,011 people. Rent is about $2,947/month for a decent place. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. Thanks in advance! It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
9 upvotes
6 Replies
Amelia Edwards
accurate
37 upvotes
Waylon A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely underrated and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
35 upvotes
Susan C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is tough in most areas.
34 upvotes
Gabriella J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Eleanor Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are hit or miss. 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. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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