Been meaning to ask this. With a population of 62,233, La Habra is a smaller city.
1 upvotes
25 Replies
John D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Jean G.
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
Skylar Hall
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Harper
Moved here from Atlanta about 4 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to traffic but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
phoenixheart2025
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by food scene. 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 housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Kaylee M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Dallas about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Ruby Anderson
preach
30 upvotes
Lucy Morales
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The housing market is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Mateo M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Nashville 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 Eastside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Camila A.
Came here for weather and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Nathan
I've lived in The Heights for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by walkability. 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 nightlife scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
loving_kinsley32
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Grace Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 47, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and Riverside, 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. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
22 upvotes
benjamin_runner
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Mason J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Nashville about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Naomi
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
nolan_papa
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Emilia Sanchez
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's been a really good experience overall.
12 upvotes
Liam T.
I work in healthcare here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is average. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Olivia Wright
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
nyc_declan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes
Kathryn H.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
4 upvotes
atlwalker2023
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Melanie Carter
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.