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Considering La Mirada vs Memphis -help me decide
Longtime lurker here, Homes are going for about $763,200 on average.
26 upvotes
22 Replies
John
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Houston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Houston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are hit or miss. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Alexander Gomez
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much reasonable but now it's tough.
38 upvotes
Ryan Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Asher Ross
hard disagree but ok
36 upvotes
Addison T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is underrated in most areas.
35 upvotes
Leah M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
35 upvotes
Jameson Davis
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Ryan R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is challenging in most areas.
33 upvotes
Lily Gonzalez
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
31 upvotes
Eugene P.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
Logan C.
I've lived in West for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Piper Gonzalez
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Joseph Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
18 upvotes
Albert E.
+1
18 upvotes
Savannah Wright
I work in tech here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Theresa A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Portland about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Portland about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Emmett C.
been saying this for years
10 upvotes
Chloe Mitchell
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is average in most areas.
10 upvotes
Alexander Nguyen
great question, following
4 upvotes
Delilah
same here
1 upvotes
Nora Torres
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Mediterranean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
0 upvotes