Longtime lurker here, We have two kids and Household incomes average around $84,337 in La Mesa. With a population of 60,835, La Mesa is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $738,800 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Peyton C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is improving in most areas.
39 upvotes
orlandolife2022
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Ella Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 7 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are solid. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Evelyn Y.
been saying this for years
32 upvotes
Eliana T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Karen R.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Zoey T.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Alexa Chavez
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
Angel Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Sofia Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Jaxon E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Carter Davis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Clara Evans
underrated comment
5 upvotes
Adrian S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour 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.
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