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Waylon Garcia living

Life in Merced as a young professional

Hey everyone, I relocated for work and Median household income is $59,938, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 18.6%, which is higher than I expected. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Let me know your thoughts. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
25 upvotes

12 Replies

Nathan Howard
I've lived in Eastside for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The nightlife scene is solid

The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Everly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 27, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Westside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
Caleb L.
100%
36 upvotes
Isaac Gutierrez
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I love the pace of life here.
33 upvotes
Bella Thompson
yep
22 upvotes
Zoey Parker
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Bruce G.
Used to live on the South side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
15 upvotes
Rylee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
11 upvotes
Matthew Nguyen
big facts right here
7 upvotes
Skylar Brooks
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Isaiah
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The community vibe is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Dylan Ward
I'm a electrician and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
1 upvotes
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