I'm retired and Poverty rate is 8.0%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $104,219, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 62°F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Lots of new development
- Active local events
Cons:
- Poor road conditions
- Far from major airports
- Not enough green space
Is this normal for Fullerton? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Rebecca T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Genesis Perez
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Emily Moore
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests 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 tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Evan H.
interesting, hadn't considered that
34 upvotes
Vivian
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Nolan Richardson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Jacob Garcia
this is the way
27 upvotes
Jonathan Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 39, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Westside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
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. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Phoenix, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
25 upvotes
Lucy M.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Korean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
22 upvotes
Abigail Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Ann P.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
15 upvotes
Emilia Collins
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (East) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
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