I'm a 44-year-old restaurant manager and Rent is about $2,247/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $778,700, which is pretty steep. Household incomes average around $106,620 in Hacienda Heights. Average temperature is around 66--F, so the weather is moderate. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What do you all think? Thanks for reading. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
30 upvotes
22 Replies
Jaxon Rogers
This.
40 upvotes
Maya Diaz
underrated comment
40 upvotes
Olivia C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
36 upvotes
Isaiah M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Nashville it's underrated.
36 upvotes
Ella Johnson
I've lived in Midtown for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
real_ella23
+1
31 upvotes
Peyton T.
not my experience at all
29 upvotes
Elijah Nguyen
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is excellent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Anthony W.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
27 upvotes
Everly R.
Totally agree!
23 upvotes
Ryan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 8 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
finance 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Brooklyn Evans
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Weston Parker
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in East area are tough. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Dylan Clark
Saving this thread
7 upvotes
Edward L.
I've lived in West for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Delilah R.
yep
5 upvotes
Gianna C.
great question, following
4 upvotes
Vivian R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 4 years. Moved from Tampa for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 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:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are solid. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
river_declan96
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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