I'm retired and With a population of 16,790, Moraga is a small town. The city has invested a lot in new development. Is this normal for Moraga? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
0 upvotes
11 Replies
Hudson Adams
Moved here from Miami about 9 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Kinsley
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Ruby Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 26, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 San Francisco, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
26 upvotes
Elijah Howard
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 14 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 challenging. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Silas Hall
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Xavier
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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 job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
lalocal2021
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Mason J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Emilia Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
education is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Lakewood schools are decent. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Timothy M.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in South area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Levi
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
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