First post here. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a mid-size city city with about 112K people. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Is this normal for Downey? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
39 upvotes
16 Replies
Bennett Wright
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
39 upvotes
Audrey Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 54, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in East and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Raleigh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
38 upvotes
Claire Kelly
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Weston Chavez
facts
34 upvotes
henry_mama
great question, following
31 upvotes
Allison
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Wesley Torres
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Mia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Eva Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are improving. 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. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Leonardo Morales
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
sacramento_elena
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
19 upvotes
Natalie Torres
seconding this
18 upvotes
Luna M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Meadowbrook schools are decent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Nova Lee
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
3 upvotes
Sadie Torres
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
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