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Claire Bailey living

What I wish I knew before living in Laguna Niguel

Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Any help is appreciated. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
9 upvotes

3 Replies

Allison H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in South for 1 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
construction 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes 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 excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Carter
100%
27 upvotes
Adrian Morales
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
15 upvotes
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