Been meaning to ask this. I'm a 25-year-old accountant and Median household income is $125,117, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 25,211, Norco is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $731,900, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $731,900 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I overthinking this? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Eleanor Moore
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Bella Robinson
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Cedar Grove area are solid. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
atl_gabriel
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
jacob_local
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 46, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Old Town and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. challenging 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
36 upvotes
Ryan Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 49, moved here 1 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
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. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. tough 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 Boston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
25 upvotes
phoenixheart2025
hard disagree but ok
25 upvotes
Joseph D.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
24 upvotes
Wesley Ward
nah I disagree
22 upvotes
Caleb
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The safety is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Brooks Y.
wish I knew this sooner
20 upvotes
ellie_living
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The walkability is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Wyatt Castillo
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Phoenix about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Abigail Campbell
I work in education here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Definitely worth checking out..
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