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Justin O. housing

Studio apartments in Desert Hot Springs -options?

Hey folks, I'm retired and It's a a smaller city city with about 32,786 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Desert Hot Springs sits at 876.1 per 100K. Homes are going for about $309,300 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,339 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.

Pros:
- Good job market
- Good schools
- Easy commute
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options

Cons:
- Hot summers
- Rising rent prices
- Limited nightlife
- Limited dining options
Thoughts? Thanks! The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. 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. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
7 upvotes

14 Replies

Melanie Thompson
I'm a project manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Katherine
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Charlotte Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value public transit, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
38 upvotes
Hannah Cook
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
31 upvotes
Jack C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 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 4-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.

People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Paisley Miller
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Lakewood area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Sadie Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.

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.
21 upvotes
Ruth M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.

Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.

People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Eli Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.

I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Maya Robinson
exactly what I was thinking
6 upvotes
Aurora Clark
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
5 upvotes
sf_delilah
as a local I can confirm
3 upvotes
Sadie Martin
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
Aria Stewart
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Thai places. I love the pace of life here.
2 upvotes
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