Pros and cons of La Crescenta-Montrose after 2 years

Roman Cruz May 13, 2025

OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 58, moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.

27 upvotes

Beverly P. May 9, 2025

Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.

15 upvotes

Gabriella Morris May 18, 2025

facts

13 upvotes