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Everly best-worst

Top 5 things I love about Escondido

First post here. Military spouse here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 150K people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
54 upvotes

3 Replies

Daniel Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Portland, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
32 upvotes
Greyson
hmm interesting perspective
19 upvotes
Rylee T.
accurate
12 upvotes
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