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Josiah Parker living

Why I chose Laguna Beach over bigger cities

Hey everyone, Household incomes average around $140,508 in Laguna Beach. You can expect to pay around $2,802 for rent here. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.

Pros:
- Lots of new development
- Good healthcare facilities
- Walkable downtown
- Good internet infrastructure

Cons:
- Cold winters
- Not very walkable
- Lack of diversity
- Few job opportunities in some fields
It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
12 upvotes

11 Replies

Robert
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
36 upvotes
Jacob Martinez
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 traffic is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Riverside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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
Alice C.
I've lived in The Heights for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Avery
spot on
25 upvotes
Allison A.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great BBQ places. it was the best decision I ever made.
24 upvotes
Ian Clark
exactly what I was thinking
19 upvotes
Martha C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Abigail Morales
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a HR manager, 55, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
13 upvotes
Alyssa C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
10 upvotes
Elena A.
I've lived in Midtown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The nightlife scene is challenging

The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Victoria Perez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. food 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.
5 upvotes
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