OK so Just moved here 17 months ago and Rent is about $1,761/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 59,765 people. With a population of 59,765, Gardena is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $667,600, which is pretty steep. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
5 upvotes
20 Replies
Maya Ramirez
yeah no that's not right
38 upvotes
Adrian Moore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Boston about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Aria C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 39, moved here 7 years ago from New York. I've lived in Maple Ridge and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 New York, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
36 upvotes
Bella Howard
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
Nolan Foster
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Nova Ward
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Ariana Parker
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
31 upvotes
Daniel Alvarez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Daniel Price
+1
24 upvotes
Brooklyn C.
great question, following
19 upvotes
Benjamin Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 32, moved here 15 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
15 upvotes
Wyatt
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great sushi places. it exceeded my expectations.
14 upvotes
Easton
lol so true
13 upvotes
Betty R.
100%
12 upvotes
Willow Miller
Used to live on the North side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
11 upvotes
samuel_life
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in South area are solid. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Asher Edwards
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Lakewood area are decent. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Emma White
this is the way
2 upvotes
Leonardo Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour 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.
2 upvotes
Charlotte Flores
I work in hospitality here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is average. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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