Been meaning to ask this. Just moved here 4 months ago and Median household income is $90,166, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 171K, Garden Grove is a mid-size city. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
54 upvotes
10 Replies
Bella L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Jeremiah Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Landon Harris
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much established but now it's solid.
37 upvotes
Sadie Castillo
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Genesis Bennett
accurate
32 upvotes
Vivian Phillips
I work in consulting here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Sebastian H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. consulting 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Connor R.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great sushi places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
20 upvotes
Skylar
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Robert Gonzalez
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.
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