Random thought, My family moved here when I was a kid. With a population of 53,750, Diamond Bar is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What would you do? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
21 upvotes
29 Replies
Skylar Williams
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
40 upvotes
Henry Castillo
I've lived in Westside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by school system. 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 community vibe scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Sophia Torres
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
34 upvotes
Santiago G.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much stable but now it's excellent.
33 upvotes
cool_cora80
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Charlotte Rogers
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
29 upvotes
Evan Hernandez
couldn't agree more
28 upvotes
Cooper Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Westside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
28 upvotes
Roman Adams
lol so true
25 upvotes
Melanie Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 solid. 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. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Paisley Morris
Moved here last year, no regrets.
22 upvotes
Joseph P.
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Skylar White
couldn't agree more
19 upvotes
Benjamin Sanchez
thanks for sharing
18 upvotes
Eli Flores
I've lived in The Heights for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Adam A.
100%
18 upvotes
James T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Easton M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 47, moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, 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. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
14 upvotes
Reagan Martinez
same here
13 upvotes
sacramento_levi
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
11 upvotes
Eleanor W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Portland it's hit or miss.
8 upvotes
Cora Jackson
I'm a physical therapist and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
David White
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Parker C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
2 upvotes
Jameson Scott
nah I disagree
2 upvotes
Santiago Bailey
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Virginia L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Isabelle Cook
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
0 upvotes
Caroline Flores
Used to live on the East side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
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