Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and It's a a smaller city city with about 56,358 people. The median home value here is around $1,018,600, which is pretty steep. With a population of 56,358, Fountain Valley is a smaller city. Crime rate is something to consider -Fountain Valley sits at 94.9 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I wrong here?
17 upvotes
14 Replies
Levi Thomas
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Miami it's decent.
38 upvotes
Genesis Lee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Isabelle Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from New York about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Hazel G.
Moved here from Dallas about 11 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to community vibe but Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Billy B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 2 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are solid. 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. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Julia Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Mason Rogers
I've lived in Springfield for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Dominic
100%
24 upvotes
Gabriel G.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Anna Edwards
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
Henry Clark
yep
16 upvotes
Violet Kelly
as a local I can confirm
13 upvotes
Autumn Ortiz
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Carter Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
