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Madelyn Harris living

Is Costa Mesa getting better or worse?

Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2010. With a population of 111K, Costa Mesa is a mid-size city. Household incomes average around $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Rent is about $2,395/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Does this match your experience? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
6 upvotes

3 Replies

Michael R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Caleb K.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Connor R.
I've lived in North for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The school system scene is excellent

The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
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