Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. With a population of 35,823, El Mirage is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $282,000 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Am I wrong here? The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Thomas Perez
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Willow Torres
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Elena Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 58, moved here 9 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
35 upvotes
Camila Kim
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Joseph T.
accurate
28 upvotes
Delilah R.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Isabella Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Gabriella Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Arianna Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 46, moved here 5 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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
Ian B.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
20 upvotes
austin_evelyn
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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