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Carter W.
best-worst
What surprised you most about Lake Havasu City?
Average temperature is around 74--F, so it's warm year-round.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Robert White
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
emmett_chef
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Lucas Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Houston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Houston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Julia Stewart
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Ryan Young
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 4 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 San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Zoe Sanchez
Bought a house here in 2020 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
chicago_nathan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 55, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in The Heights and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 55, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in The Heights and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
30 upvotes
phillyvibes2024
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I've been here 2 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Gabriel Edwards
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Violet Harris
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
13 upvotes
Ariana Cox
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Uptown area are improving. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Mateo Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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 housing market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
12 upvotes
Carter Jones
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is excellent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
phoenixlocal2022
I work in engineering here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is decent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes