Hello, I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $243,500, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I overthinking this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
39 upvotes
16 Replies
Waylon
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Dylan Ruiz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is underrated in most areas.
31 upvotes
Colton Gonzalez
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
24 upvotes
Joseph Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. East schools are pretty good. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Christina K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Wesley Flores
following this thread
15 upvotes
Ashley B.
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Zoe Kelly
I work in healthcare here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is better than expected. Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Maverick Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Andrew Flores
Used to live on the West side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
6 upvotes
Sebastian Hernandez
as a local I can confirm
5 upvotes
Donald R.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Matthew P.
Totally agree!
4 upvotes
Margaret E.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Josiah K.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
1 upvotes
Avery Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.