Thinking about relocating to Long Beach from San Diego
Hello, I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $661,500, which is pretty steep. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 34,741 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Matthew Brooks
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
40 upvotes
Jose H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 10 years. Moved from San Diego for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers 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 better than expected. 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. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Waylon Peterson
facts
35 upvotes
Axel Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are better than expected. 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Cora S.
this is the way
35 upvotes
Hazel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 Fairview. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
everett_dude
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
23 upvotes
Jayden Ramirez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Chicago it's pretty good.
22 upvotes
Ruby
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Grayson Reyes
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Addison Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Westside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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
Cora Patel
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cultural scene but No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Anna
this is the way
5 upvotes
Wesley Cook
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
Joseph Hill
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to New York it's improving.
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