So, Been living here since 2014. Homes are going for about $900,700 on average. Rent is about $2,252/month for a decent place. With a population of 139K, Orange is a mid-size city. The median home value here is around $900,700, which is pretty steep. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low crime in most areas
- Good schools
- Low taxes
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Limited dining options
- High property taxes
- Limited cultural events
Thoughts? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
40 upvotes
19 Replies
Jack Stewart
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Thai places. it's been a really good experience overall.
39 upvotes
Sophie White
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great craft beer places. it's been a really good experience overall.
37 upvotes
Maverick Morris
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Eastside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Ann W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Joseph
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great seafood places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
23 upvotes
Lily Parker
accurate
23 upvotes
Kennedy R.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Valentina C.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The safety is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
James
thanks for sharing
18 upvotes
Ellie O.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Mia Thomas
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The dating scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Ariana Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to New York it's tough.
15 upvotes
Paisley Anderson
noted, appreciate it
15 upvotes
Joyce C.
I've lived in North for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
kai_girl
bump
5 upvotes
Sebastian Young
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. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Lydia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Maverick
preach
4 upvotes
Sebastian Ramos
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
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