Been meaning to ask this. Rent is about $1,061/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $182,700 on average. Poverty rate is 13.2%, which is around average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What neighborhoods would you suggest? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
30 upvotes
10 Replies
Skylar Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely decent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
36 upvotes
Zoe H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Landon M.
100%
33 upvotes
Bennett K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Portland about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Isla L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (East) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
26 upvotes
Mia Castillo
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
Samuel Cook
spot on
21 upvotes
Katherine T.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Waylon Rogers
Bought a house here in 2020 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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