Hey, Military spouse here. With a population of 55,960, National City is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $580,900 on average. Average temperature is around 63--F, so the weather is moderate. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
25 upvotes
27 Replies
Nolan
Came here for family and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Camila M.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
37 upvotes
Matthew Ramirez
100%
36 upvotes
orlandodude2024
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
34 upvotes
Theodore Morgan
Bought a house here in 2017 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Aaliyah Garcia
been saying this for years
31 upvotes
Zoey B.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The dating scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Luca Richardson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Hailey P.
Came here for weather and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The public transit is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Christian Bennett
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
Kaylee Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Charlotte about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Daniel Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 32, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Highland and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
23 upvotes
Kennedy Turner
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
Olivia R.
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 2-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Adam Nelson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is tough in most areas.
20 upvotes
local_adrian90
great question, following
16 upvotes
Everly Chavez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Eli P.
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Daniel Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. tech 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Serenity Carter
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Samuel Cook
seconding this
9 upvotes
Asher Cook
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Allison Clark
facts
8 upvotes
Lydia Morris
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
7 upvotes
Emmett Cox
honestly same experience here
5 upvotes
Robert
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Baltimore it's surprisingly good.
5 upvotes
Audrey Peterson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
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