Been meaning to ask this. Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $765,500 on average. Poverty rate is 9.4%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Is this normal for Garden Grove?
12 upvotes
29 Replies
Leo Ruiz
this is the way
39 upvotes
Lily Parker
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The public transit is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Leah Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 11 years. Moved from Austin for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited shopping options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Ava M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Madeline T.
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
33 upvotes
Quinn S.
yep
32 upvotes
Zoe Hall
glad someone said it
29 upvotes
Hailey E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Anna Gomez
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
27 upvotes
Charlotte Bailey
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Victoria Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Miami about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Bennett James
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Delilah Phillips
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Baltimore it's underrated.
21 upvotes
Leah A.
exactly what I was thinking
20 upvotes
Ruth R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Paisley Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Cooper
following this thread
18 upvotes
Leonardo Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 26, moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
16 upvotes
Lydia Cooper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Sophia Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Genesis Cruz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Jordan D.
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
Quinn Morales
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The healthcare is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Leah Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 1 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Sunset schools are average. 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 public transit options. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
brielle_chef
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
6 upvotes
Lucas M.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Westside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Lillian Hughes
Moved here from Raleigh about 1 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Allison Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Adeline M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are average. 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
