Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm retired and The median home value here is around $1,115,400, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider — Irvine sits at 64.2 per 100K. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Is this normal for Irvine? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up.
22 upvotes
36 Replies
houston_willow
Bought a house here in 2024 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
40 upvotes
Andrew Gray
+1
39 upvotes
Piper E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Lillian Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Ezekiel J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Austin it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
Kaylee Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
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 established, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Waylon Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Elizabeth T.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Thai places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
35 upvotes
Elizabeth Price
facts
32 upvotes
Scarlett Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Andrew
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
Lillian Kelly
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Emily R.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Evan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Jeremiah Reyes
yep
22 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- The traffic scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Miles Hernandez
facts
20 upvotes
Aubrey Hughes
I work in marketing here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is tough. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Paisley R.
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Amelia W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Jose W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Brielle Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Everett Sanders
Saving this thread
13 upvotes
Riley W.
same here
11 upvotes
Madelyn Alvarez
great question, following
10 upvotes
austinheart2022
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 challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
9 upvotes
Zoey Parker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Samantha R.
big facts right here
8 upvotes
Eleanor Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Genesis Howard
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is average and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Frances C.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Anna W.
haha yep pretty much
3 upvotes
Mason Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 58, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. average 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
3 upvotes
Maya Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Austin R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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