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Anna F. best-worst

Worst things about Monterey nobody talks about

Not sure if this has been asked before, but Median household income is $104,110, which feels pretty solid for the area. Let me know your thoughts.
23 upvotes

29 Replies

Catherine J.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
40 upvotes
Jack P.
interesting, hadn't considered that
39 upvotes
Camila Rogers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.

People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Thai.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Natalie Clark
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Isabella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value traffic, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely average and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (The Heights) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour 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.
36 upvotes
Axel M.
following this thread
34 upvotes
Mia Mendoza
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
atl_austin
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Nathan A.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
raised_james26
preach
30 upvotes
Mia Roberts
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Greyson Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Seattle about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate

Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.

Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Miles Ramos
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Italian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
28 upvotes
Ethan Ramirez
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Santiago Reyes
accurate
26 upvotes
Caroline Richardson
yep
23 upvotes
Jace Y.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
22 upvotes
Emilia Allen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Daniel Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.

People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Hailey Long
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Cedar Grove for 7 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are surprisingly good. 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 community vibe can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Hannah Gutierrez
I've lived in Sunset for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is decent

The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Luke S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value food scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.

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.
14 upvotes
Sarah Reyes
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Waylon B.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Kennedy D.
big facts right here
12 upvotes
Connor R.
not my experience at all
9 upvotes
George G.
Bought a house here in 2021 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
2 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.

I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Abigail L.
nah I disagree
0 upvotes
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