Hello, I grew up here but left for a while. Household incomes average around $167,148 in Orange. You can expect to pay around $2,750 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is about average. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Would love some local perspective. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
8 Replies
Sofia Ramos
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in East area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Quinn H.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Cedar Grove area are solid. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Violet
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Isla Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
phillysoul2021
+1
25 upvotes
Gabriel Y.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Madelyn Hill
not my experience at all
24 upvotes
Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Riverside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Austin, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
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