I'm single, late 50s, and Household incomes average around $119,885 in Huntington Beach. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider — Huntington Beach sits at 191.2 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thanks for reading. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
8 upvotes
16 Replies
Jacqueline L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 24, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - 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 cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
33 upvotes
Leonardo Jackson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
30 upvotes
Scarlett
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Jackson Morales
Moved here last year, no regrets.
27 upvotes
Serenity
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 10 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Pine Hills schools are hit or miss. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Ezekiel Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Benjamin Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Evan T.
preach
20 upvotes
tampa_ryan
I work in government here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is better than expected. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Elijah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Easton Ramirez
lol so true
8 upvotes
Audrey G.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are average. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Hudson Martinez
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
6 upvotes
Leah A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 41, moved here 11 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Fairview and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
4 upvotes
Emily R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 53, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in East and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
3 upvotes
Mia Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
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