Should I move to Haiku-Pauwela or stay in Los Angeles?
Longtime lurker here, I'm a 54-year-old electrician and The unemployment rate is 5.0%, which is about average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I wrong here? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Santiago G.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
38 upvotes
Audrey Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
37 upvotes
Nicholas Ortiz
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
Isaiah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails 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 challenging. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, 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.
31 upvotes
Oliver Collins
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Salt Lake City it's tough.
23 upvotes
Samuel Garcia
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Olivia Bennett
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is tough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Sophie Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Kennedy E.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
14 upvotes
Elijah Martinez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Scarlett Perez
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Jacob C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 6 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Jace Long
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
5 upvotes
Declan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (South) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
1 upvotes
Kinsley Johnson
I've lived in Riverside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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