Longtime lurker here, Median household income is $64,484, which feels about average for the area. It's a a mid-size city city with about 107K people. With a population of 107K, El Monte is a mid-size city. The median home value here is around $626,000, which is pretty steep. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Nora
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 9 years. Moved from Houston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Uptown schools are pretty good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Autumn W.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
35 upvotes
Gary J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Emilia
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Sunset area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
madeline_life
bump
27 upvotes
Alexander Campbell
lol so true
15 upvotes
Brooklyn Miller
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
15 upvotes
Wesley
accurate
13 upvotes
Luna Martin
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Dominic Bailey
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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