All Countries
Lydia Cooper
living
Living in Merced -the reality
Hey, I'm retired and You can expect to pay around $1,293 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
adrian_lover
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
minneapolisgirl2023
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
36 upvotes
Samuel
great question, following
35 upvotes
Cameron Martin
Moved here from Tampa about 9 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to safety but No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Isla Stewart
+1
33 upvotes
matthew_runner
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Fairview area are excellent. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Silas M.
literally same
28 upvotes
Allison Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 25, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in The Heights and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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 contractor, 25, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in The Heights and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
28 upvotes
Xavier L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 10 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. 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 photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 10 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. 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 photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Noah
I work in finance here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is excellent. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Benjamin Gomez
preach
10 upvotes
Piper C.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
Everett W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests 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 excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests 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 excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Jonathan M.
honestly same experience here
1 upvotes
Ezra Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
0 upvotes