Hi all, Just moved here 13 months ago and With a population of 32,883, Dana Point is a smaller city. Median household income is $127,246, which feels pretty solid for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up.
16 upvotes
12 Replies
Quinn Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Wesley Roberts
spot on
27 upvotes
oaklandsoul2023
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
27 upvotes
Aria L.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
23 upvotes
Leo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 5 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
dcwalker2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. improving 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
20 upvotes
Addison Flores
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
20 upvotes
Nathan Ross
been saying this for years
10 upvotes
Alexa
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Ella Brown
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Carter P.
it depends on the neighborhood
3 upvotes
Nora Baker
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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