First post here. With a population of 59,765, Gardena is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,761/month for a decent place. Median household income is $79,291, which feels about average for the area. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Worth the trade-offs? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
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Adam Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 43, moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. excellent 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K 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.
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