Should I move to Greenville or stay in Los Angeles?
Hey everyone, I work in food service and Rent is about $983/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
12 upvotes
23 Replies
Brielle
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.
38 upvotes
brielle_life
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Jordan Richardson
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
33 upvotes
Alexander Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Ruby T.
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Isla L.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Westside area are tough. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Boston 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 Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Victoria Perez
Bought a house here in 2016 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
29 upvotes
Evelyn Gray
Came here for family and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Eliana M.
haha yep pretty much
24 upvotes
Sadie H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 34, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
24 upvotes
Charlotte
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Ezekiel Flores
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Anna
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 15 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Maple Ridge schools are pretty 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. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Genesis Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
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. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
14 upvotes
chicagomind2025
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Jackson M.
following this thread
12 upvotes
eleanor_guy
good to know, thanks
12 upvotes
Joseph Hall
lol so true
11 upvotes
Declan Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
jacob_local
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
oaklandsoul2023
haha yep pretty much
5 upvotes
Alexis B.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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