My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a mid-size city city with about 250K people. Household incomes average around $70,139 in Glendale. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I wrong here?
35 upvotes
35 Replies
Sebastian Long
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
39 upvotes
Clara Evans
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Quinn K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 40, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 San Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
38 upvotes
Luke Edwards
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Arthur G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from San Francisco for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. 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 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. North 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Miles Walker
Bought a house here in 2021 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
34 upvotes
Grace Hill
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Leo Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from San Diego for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are excellent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Camila Jimenez
big facts right here
26 upvotes
raleigh_ellie
Bought a house here in 2021 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
24 upvotes
Michael Y.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Indian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
22 upvotes
Adrian
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Violet Anderson
facts
20 upvotes
Claire Kelly
facts
19 upvotes
Luna Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
17 upvotes
Audrey Campbell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Atlanta it's improving.
17 upvotes
Caroline Walker
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Indian places. it exceeded my expectations.
16 upvotes
Zoe Wright
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Paisley Castillo
same here
15 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Seattle it's underrated.
15 upvotes
Savannah Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 5 years. Moved from Nashville for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. West schools are surprisingly good. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Nightlife is limited. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Landon Gomez
I've lived in North for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Brooks Diaz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
9 upvotes
Wyatt Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, 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.
9 upvotes
Landon T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Declan Morgan
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The traffic scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Delilah King
big facts right here
7 upvotes
Jaxon C.
yep
6 upvotes
savannah_walker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Connor H.
great question, following
6 upvotes
Alice H.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cultural scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Nicholas Jackson
yeah no that's not right
4 upvotes
Aiden E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Piper
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
1 upvotes
Andrew Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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