Hey, It's a a smaller city city with about 93,525 people. With a population of 93,525, Compton is a smaller city. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
6 upvotes
26 Replies
Willow Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Raleigh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Jeremy P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
39 upvotes
Ellie Howard
thanks for sharing
38 upvotes
Jacob C.
I work in construction here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
aurora_chef
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 56, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Sunset and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Phoenix, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
37 upvotes
Piper King
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Caroline Foster
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
32 upvotes
Ezekiel Jackson
I've lived in Sunset for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Thomas Turner
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Brielle Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Miles Collins
hard disagree but ok
30 upvotes
Emma Jimenez
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in North area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Vivian Wood
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Caleb Morgan
This.
18 upvotes
John Adams
I work in healthcare here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Gabriel Cook
I work in engineering here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is excellent. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Nolan
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much stable but now it's excellent.
13 upvotes
Jacob B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Jace Rodriguez
same here
10 upvotes
Isaac Ross
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
8 upvotes
Lydia Rodriguez
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
Waylon Williams
seconding this
4 upvotes
Harper Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Mason
not my experience at all
1 upvotes
Arianna M.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
0 upvotes
Hailey P.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in North area are improving. Kids love it here.