Been meaning to ask this. I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $420,700, which is pretty steep. Household incomes average around $67,031 in Cathedral City. Average temperature is around 76--F, so it's warm year-round. With a population of 52,047, Cathedral City is a smaller city. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Should I be concerned? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
19 upvotes
10 Replies
kcvibes2024
great question, following
38 upvotes
Grace
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Gerald C.
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
34 upvotes
Levi King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Evan Hall
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Austin R.
Moved here from Portland about 13 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Riley Miller
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Sadie Watson
Saving this thread
9 upvotes
Nova Davis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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