Alright, Crime rate is something to consider -Manhattan Beach sits at 154.6 per 100K. Rent is about $3,492/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 64--F, so the weather is moderate. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
7 upvotes
17 Replies
Alice Cruz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Lillian Ortiz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Sarah Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Jonathan James
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (North) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Dating scene 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.
31 upvotes
Adrian Patel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is decent in most areas.
28 upvotes
Isabella Hernandez
Came here for weather and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Grace Collins
as a local I can confirm
27 upvotes
Scarlett Edwards
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
Gabriella Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
20 upvotes
Kayden Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Evan Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Levi Martin
haha yep pretty much
16 upvotes
William Evans
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Evan Stewart
100%
14 upvotes
Lily Davis
great question, following
11 upvotes
Zoe R.
accurate
9 upvotes
David P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 3 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are improving. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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