Been meaning to ask this. Born and raised here. With a population of 212K, Fontana is a mid-size city. You can expect to pay around $1,733 for rent here. Household incomes average around $98,187 in Fontana. Crime rate is something to consider — Fontana sits at 342.3 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Hunter Bailey
hard disagree but ok
34 upvotes
Brandon R.
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
oaklandwalker2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Oak Park and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
30 upvotes
Samuel Cook
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Luke Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Westside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
20 upvotes
Ariana Patel
this is the way
14 upvotes
Matthew M.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
11 upvotes
Michael
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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