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Emily S. housing

Rent vs buy in Hacienda Heights -what makes sense?

First post here. We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 7.8%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 66--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $778,700, which is pretty steep. It's a a smaller city city with about 54,956 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
27 upvotes

6 Replies

Luke Rodriguez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to LA it's surprisingly good.
40 upvotes
Robert A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
31 upvotes
Jonathan Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a contractor, 50, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
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. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
16 upvotes
Dylan Garcia
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The public transit is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Liam Morales
spot on
1 upvotes
Clara Ross
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
1 upvotes
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