Hey everyone, I'm single, late 40s, and Crime rate is something to consider — Irvine sits at 64.2 per 100K. What do you all think?
35 upvotes
12 Replies
Emma M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Jace R.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in South area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Michael Parker
preach
29 upvotes
Willie C.
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Oliver Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 49, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
28 upvotes
Nora Price
it depends on the neighborhood
22 upvotes
Delilah B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Minneapolis about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Xavier King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Paisley Lewis
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Julia Green
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Genesis Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Leo Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
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