Not sure if this has been asked before, but With a population of 51,756, Catalina Foothills is a smaller city. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
24 upvotes
3 Replies
columbusvibes2022
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in East area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Aaliyah Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 53, moved here 4 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Maple Ridge and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 San Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
7 upvotes
Samuel Nguyen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
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