All Countries
andrew_kid
housing
Rent vs buy in Orange — what makes sense?
Longtime lurker here, I work in consulting and Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What do you all think?
59 upvotes
15 Replies
Rachel M.
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
Aurora Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 30, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in East and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 30, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in East and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
38 upvotes
Silas Brown
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
36 upvotes
vegas_chloe
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Henry
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is excellent in most areas.
33 upvotes
Kaylee Brown
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Mackenzie Mitchell
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Riverside area are improving. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Quinn Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Jack Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Greyson Jackson
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Ian P.
haha yep pretty much
19 upvotes
Sadie S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
12 upvotes
Audrey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
7 upvotes
claire_chef
I'm a physical therapist and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Josiah Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes