Curious what people think. I'm originally from San Diego and With a population of 34,584, Manhattan Beach is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $2,000,001 on average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I wrong here? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
9 upvotes
27 Replies
Theodore Wright
yep
40 upvotes
Ava G.
interesting, hadn't considered that
38 upvotes
sunny_stella97
glad someone said it
38 upvotes
Alexander Martin
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Chicago it's average.
36 upvotes
Joshua Howard
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
35 upvotes
Roman White
I've lived in East for about 7 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 New York, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cost of living scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
William Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
la_asher
I've lived in South for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Audrey G.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's tough.
29 upvotes
Everly Ramirez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Kennedy Chavez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Olivia Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Joseph Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 43, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
19 upvotes
Brielle
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 10 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are hit or miss. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, 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.
18 upvotes
Hudson Nelson
accurate
15 upvotes
Landon Ross
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Brielle Perez
Moved here from Denver about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to dating scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Elizabeth Brown
Moved here last year, no regrets.
14 upvotes
Luna Phillips
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Stella Chavez
I've lived in Springfield for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The traffic scene is decent
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Hazel Peterson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Amber R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely tough and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (North) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
12 upvotes
Gabriel Taylor
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to school system but Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
raised_lillian22
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
11 upvotes
Nathan Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Levi White
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Boston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
All Countries
