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Danielle T.
living
Is Malibu a good place to live?
Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Benjamin P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 37, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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 software engineer, 37, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
32 upvotes
Zoe J.
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Kaylee R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Lucy Thomas
honestly same experience here
26 upvotes
Olivia Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Thomas Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
I've been here 14 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Victoria Turner
accurate
18 upvotes
Kayden Cooper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Melanie R.
I work in manufacturing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
columbus_santiago
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing 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 underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing 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 underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
eli_papa
hard disagree but ok
3 upvotes
Jayden M.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Jace
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes