Not sure if this has been asked before, but Just moved here 3 months ago and Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $2,395/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Crime rate is something to consider -Costa Mesa sits at 273.6 per 100K. It's a a mid-size city city with about 111K people. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Is this normal for Costa Mesa? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
30 upvotes
16 Replies
Brooks Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Olivia Davis
hmm interesting perspective
29 upvotes
Parker Thomas
preach
28 upvotes
Cooper Long
as a local I can confirm
22 upvotes
Savannah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Allison Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
13 upvotes
Nevaeh Green
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The nightlife is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Mason
great question, following
11 upvotes
Aaliyah Martinez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Salt Lake City it's tough.
10 upvotes
Amy G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 2 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are underrated. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Wesley Mitchell
literally same
7 upvotes
Stella Kim
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
6 upvotes
Valentina Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 52, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. solid 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 Portland, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
5 upvotes
Kinsley Flores
lol so true
1 upvotes
Joseph C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 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..
0 upvotes
Hudson Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
All Countries
