Hello, I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $80,366 in Los Angeles. With a population of 3.9M, Los Angeles is a major city. The weather takes some getting used to. Should I be concerned? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
64 upvotes
27 Replies
Oliver Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 40, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Eastside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. average 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
40 upvotes
Joseph Cox
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The traffic is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Ian R.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in The Heights area are improving. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Russell K.
this is the way
31 upvotes
dc_mateo
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
30 upvotes
Everett Anderson
Moved here from Denver about 14 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
nashville_stella
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Jameson Collins
I've lived in Fairview for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Aria
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
sf_isaac
hard disagree but ok
23 upvotes
Skylar Scott
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to LA it's excellent.
22 upvotes
Evelyn Thomas
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Italian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
19 upvotes
Abigail Price
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Nora Thomas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Atlanta about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Ezra Howard
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Noah E.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Seattle it's pretty good.
12 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
I've lived in Springfield for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Rylee
literally same
9 upvotes
Evan Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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:**
hospitality is strong here. education 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. South schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Katherine
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Ryan
big facts right here
5 upvotes
Harper S.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
4 upvotes
Sarah R.
I'm a sales manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is average and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Theodore R.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much stable but now it's challenging.
2 upvotes
Elizabeth Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable 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 a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
1 upvotes
Silas Lewis
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Southern places. I love the pace of life here.
0 upvotes
Sadie Turner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely challenging and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
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