Hey, It's a a smaller city city with about 26,038 people. The median home value here is around $1,212,400, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -North Tustin sits at 167.0 per 100K. Poverty rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Good healthcare facilities
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Lack of diversity
- Few job opportunities in some fields
Would love some local perspective. Appreciate any input. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
coastal_emilia79
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Raleigh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Ryan Ramos
wish I knew this sooner
33 upvotes
Olivia Jones
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Greenfield area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Weston Edwards
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Lucy W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
22 upvotes
Abigail Gomez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Boston it's excellent.
20 upvotes
Jacob Turner
literally same
17 upvotes
Waylon Peterson
interesting, hadn't considered that
15 upvotes
Mateo W.
I work in government here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is challenging. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Hunter Garcia
literally same
11 upvotes
Emily Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts 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 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Genesis Ortiz
bump
9 upvotes
William Hughes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes
Eleanor Cox
lol so true
5 upvotes
native_gabriella15
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Chicago it's challenging.
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