Anyone else feel this way? I'm retired and It's a a smaller city city with about 52,047 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Is this normal for Cathedral City? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
19 upvotes
12 Replies
Piper S.
yep
35 upvotes
Valentina Parker
it depends on the neighborhood
35 upvotes
Austin Jones
haha yep pretty much
31 upvotes
Eli N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 27, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
22 upvotes
Hunter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 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..
19 upvotes
Rylee
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Luke Garcia
yeah no that's not right
11 upvotes
Dominic Mendoza
this is the way
5 upvotes
Sarah C.
following this thread
4 upvotes
Mateo Nguyen
hard disagree but ok
2 upvotes
Xavier Williams
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
1 upvotes
Aaliyah T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 7 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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