Hi all, Median household income is $122,778, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 30,921, Laguna Hills is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 5.9%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Worth the trade-offs? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
26 upvotes
13 Replies
Declan Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Dallas it's challenging.
38 upvotes
Dominic Nguyen
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Ian K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 56, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Riverside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. solid 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
33 upvotes
David H.
100%
27 upvotes
raised_gabriella7
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
nola_luna
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 9 years. Moved from Dallas for family. 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 a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Springfield schools are pretty good. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Jack Cox
couldn't agree more
22 upvotes
Sophie W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Joshua Collins
thanks for sharing
21 upvotes
Vivian Moore
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor recreation is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
nashville_stella
I've lived in West for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The traffic scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Bennett King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
9 upvotes
Valentina K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 6 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are average. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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