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Karen P. qa

Best restaurants in Costa Mesa?

Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 111K, Costa Mesa is a mid-size city. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
30 upvotes

2 Replies

Jeffrey R.
accurate
14 upvotes
Grace Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Westside 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. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
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