Hey everyone, I've been here for 5 years and Household incomes average around $158,461 in Newport Beach. What are your go-to spots?
30 upvotes
18 Replies
Luca Roberts
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Hudson Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 24, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
37 upvotes
Alice Reed
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Christian Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from New York about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Isla Robinson
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
atl_luna
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Easton Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
29 upvotes
Eleanor R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Logan Campbell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
26 upvotes
Grayson R.
as a local I can confirm
24 upvotes
Kathleen G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA 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 Westside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Waylon
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Isabelle H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 2 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Alice Bennett
+1
14 upvotes
Everett Stewart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
9 upvotes
Silas G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 13 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Greenfield schools are tough. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Ethan W.
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Asher Gomez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited entertainment options.
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.
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