Random thought, Household incomes average around $136,071 in Mission Viejo. Homes are going for about $946,300 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I overthinking this? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
1 upvotes
28 Replies
Claire Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality 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 excellent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Urban sprawl is real. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Melanie Mendoza
haha yep pretty much
36 upvotes
Nathan B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's challenging.
30 upvotes
Roman Lee
I work in engineering here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is decent. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Luke Campbell
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
Hannah Brooks
same here
28 upvotes
Everly Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Jose Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Nashville about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Amelia A.
exactly what I was thinking
23 upvotes
Joseph
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Riley Alvarez
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Declan Jones
I'm a writer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Joseph Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 5 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Lakewood and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
17 upvotes
Henry Myers
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Dominic R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 7 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Eli Cooper
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The food scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Claire Roberts
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Korean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
13 upvotes
Everly Wright
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Matthew Campbell
Came here for weather and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Lucas M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Denver 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 East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Chloe Sanders
Moved here from Austin about 8 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to school system but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Xavier W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
sophie_vibes
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
9 upvotes
maya_fan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Naomi Reyes
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Mark R.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Grayson M.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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