Curious what people think. It's a a smaller city city with about 59,765 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Is this normal for Gardena?
1 upvotes
15 Replies
Roy M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Nicholas Collins
This.
40 upvotes
Douglas R.
Moved here from Nashville about 15 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to dating scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Daniel James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 15 years. Moved from Denver for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Meadowbrook 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Kaylee Martinez
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
Lucy W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
29 upvotes
James R.
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Hudson Stewart
great question, following
25 upvotes
Carson Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Charlotte about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Grace D.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Leah Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Joseph Roberts
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Adrian Thomas
underrated comment
9 upvotes
Olivia Gonzalez
Saving this thread
7 upvotes
Noah Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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