So, I'm a teacher here and With a population of 34,971, Oildale is a smaller city. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What do you all think? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
30 upvotes
13 Replies
phillyheart2022
Came here for school and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Emma
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Ryan Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Cameron Nelson
I've lived in Westside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Everly Sanders
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Uptown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
21 upvotes
nashvillegirl2023
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Kathleen G.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Italian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
19 upvotes
Aiden Morgan
I'm a real estate agent and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is average and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Karen R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Dylan K.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Old Town area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Miles Anderson
Came here for weather and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The dating scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Connor Robinson
I'm a project manager and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
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